Steve Harvey halts Family Feud filming before 'almost crying' during emotional reunion

Steve Harvey broke down after spotting two of his oldest friends unexpectedly sat in the front row when filming.

The emotional encounter occurred as he was hosting Family Feud. He paused conversations with a family when he became distracted by two members of the audience.

He told contestants: "Hold on one second," before walking off the stage and embracing two individuals who were sitting in the front row.

When returning to the stage, the TV star pointed out that one of them has been his childhood friend "for 61 years."

A visibly affected Steve explained: "He surprised me! Grew up next door to me. Been in Cleveland for 61 years."

Steve was shocked to see his friends of 61 years in the audience (Family Feud)

While adjusting his purple blazer, he continued to gush: "Should have told me you were coming, man."

The audience reacted to the unscripted set back as Steve ended his interjection: "Feel like crying, seeing your punk a**."

And it's not the first time the Original Kings of Comedy star has been moved by a video call which producers had picked for a birthday surprise.

Steve couldn't hold back his emotions as he embraced the audience members (Family Feud)

Despite Harvey insisting that he didn’t like surprises the mystery segment started with Steve getting an incoming video call from Orlando, Florida. The man told Steve, “Hi, this is Rich Liss from Orlando, Florida, and I called you to wish you a happy birthday.”

The comedy star then fills up as he explains to the audience that Rich and his partner Becky helped him out when he faced 'tough times''.

Steve halted the show to share a moment with his lifelong friend (Family Feud)

He explained how the pair hired Steve to clean carpets at their Cleveland furniture store when her was 26, before further supporting him to pursue his career and racking up $11,000 at their travel agency to support his career.

Admitting he was over joyed to reconnect with the pair: "I'm gonna send a plane and I'm gonna get you here to Chicago. I'd been looking for you."

Steve has previously spoke about his tough times and even admitted to being homeless for a time as he pursued his goal.

Steve admits there was 'no plan b' when he started comedy aged 27 and toured the US (ABC via Getty Images)

Speaking on Hoda Kotb's Making Space podcast he told Hoda: "I was living in a car for three years.

He added: "There were a lot of days when I didn’t think I was going to make it. But I had nothing."

Admitting that there was no 'plan b' he said: "I just didn’t want to go back home and say I was a failure."

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