Lorraine Kelly raised a glass to her late friend Dame Deborah James on Friday morning and opened up about how she's feeling days on from her death.
The TV star, 62, raised a glass to the late BBC podcast host during Friday's episode of her self-titled show and admitted she hasn't processed her friend passing away earlier this week.
Deborah's death was confirmed on Tuesday night as her loved ones shared the sad news that the mum-of-two had died at the age of 40 via a statement on social media, following a five-year battle against stage four bowel cancer.
Lorraine and entertainment editor Ria Hebden toasted the late campaigner with a glass of champagne - a new online trending tribute - on Friday morning, with the presenter saying: "Everyone that loved her and admired her, all of us can do this.
"It’s a new trend that started on Instagram following her death earlier on this week.
"Which I still haven’t processed, to be honest."
The Scottish star then turned to Rita, both with champagne flutes in their hands, and asked: "Shall we do this for Deborah?"
Lorraine broke down in tears earlier this week as she paid tribute to Deborah in the wake of the inspirational campaigner's death being announced on Tuesday night.
After the presenter played a pre-recorded obituary to Deborah, the show returned to the studio where an emotional Lorraine simply said "love her".
As she introduced guest Steve Bland - one of Deborah's podcast co-hosts - to viewers, the Scottish star got choked up and grew visibly emotional.
Turning to the camera, she cried as she said: "Sorry. Just seeing that. We knew this was going to happen, but it still doesn’t feel quite real."
In the voiceover tribute, Lorraine could be heard saying: "Deborah was determined to stay positive and help others living with the disease.
"She shared her experience with bravery and honesty from her hospital bed and her home, documenting the highs and lows online as Bowel Babe, while also writing about her cancer with humour and candour.
"She did the hugely popular podcast You, Me and the Big C about living with cancer alongside her close friends also touched by the disease.
"She got bums on seats to talk about cancer and break the poo taboo with our No Butts campaign."
Deborah's final fundraiser surpassed £7million earlier this week, as donations flooded in following the star's death being confirmed by her family.
In the weeks prior to her death, Deborah - known as 'Bowel Babe' - had promoted the Bowelbabe Fund, which she had established to raise money and awareness for charity.
The initiative - which was set-up in collaboration with Cancer Research UK - had an initial target of £250,000, though the campaign has now raised more than £7 million.
*Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV
