Scott Mitchell has shared the moment he knew that his friend Paul O'Grady had died moments before being told the heartbreaking news, in a text message from Paul's husband Andre Portasio.
The widower of late TV icon Dame Barbara Windsor said he "just knew", after waking up in the early hours of Wednesday morning to an unexpected message.
Scott spoke on This Morning live on Wednesday, hours after the news broke that comedian and TV favourite Paul had died aged 67.
Andre confirmed the sad news of his husband's passing in a statement, revealing it was "unexpected" but "peaceful" and that he died on Tuesday night.
Scott learned the news in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after struggling to sleep and seeing a text alert on his phone just after 2am.
After receiving an unexpected and early message from Paul's husband Andre, Scott told hosts Holly Willoughby and Joel Dommett he "just knew" something was wrong before opening the message.
He explained: "I'm a terrible sleeper and I just happened to look at my phone at about 2:30am. I saw a text from Andre.
"Andre and I, we'd rarely text each other and I just knew. Before I opened the text I just knew, and he'd kindly just let me know before it came out.
"I'm just devastated. He was such an incredible man, I'm talking about the human and not the performer."
Calling Paul an "amazing friend", he reflected on the star's close friendship with his late wife Barbara who died in 2020, after a battle with Alzheimer's.
Scott spoke of the times Paul "never forgot" about Barbara during her health battle, regularly visiting her and spending time with her - while also not forgetting Scott after his wife's death.
He said: "Especially when she was ill, Paul never forgot her, he continually came to the house… he’d sit with her for a couple of hours and he'd listen to her say the same thing over and over again.
"He truly was a good friend and afterwards to me, he hasn’t forgotten me either and pops in to see me. I'm really, really sad and I'm thinking of Andre and his family."
Paul's friend Vanessa Feltz also paid tribute to the star on the show, and she became emotional as she revealed his death had "shocked her to the core".
Announcing the tragic news in a statement on Wednesday, his husband Andre said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
“We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
“I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
