Susanna Reid returned to Good Morning Britain early to pay tribute to her late friend Bill Turnbull.
The ITV presenter appeared on the show today to pay tribute to her good friend, who passed away at the age of 66 yesterday after a "challenging" five year fight with prostate cancer. Bill appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016, many of that he spent alongside his good friend Susanna and the pair have remained great friends since.
Susanna has remembered Bill as a "delightful man" as she paid tribute to him. She added he had "intimidated" her at first, but as soon as she got to know him, he was a great gem to work with and taught her everything she knew.
Speaking on the ITV breakfast show, she said: "I was knocked sideways by the loss of Bill. I don't want to sound sombre talking about him. He was delightful company. The first time I met him was more than 25 years ago.
"He would rewrite every script to make sure it was perfect. He wanted the best programme. He threw everything into every show. We did so much together. For him, the most important thing in life was his home, his family, his wife, his dogs and his bees."
Susanna also admitted she felt "robbed" because he died five years after his diagnosis was found.
"He lived with his cancer. I think we all feel robbed that there was only five years between his diagnosis and losing him," she added, "He was a remarkable person on air and a remarkable person off air."
Susanna also appeared on BBC Breakfast to pay tribute to Bill, where she described him as "welcoming".
"He was so welcoming at his home. He invited me and my family, the children to his home. My son was petrified at animals
Bill encouraged my son to throw a ball for Bonnie and he got over his fear of dogs," she said.
"He wouldn't hold back from holding really tough questions, he was firm and determined but polite. I've been in touch with Sesi since the news and with typical grace she's been as generous to me. my heart goes out to his family."
Bill's heartbroken wife Sarah, known as Sesi, released a statement read out on BBC Breakfast on Thursday as she paid tribute to her husband and admitted it was "hard to imagine life without him".
It was read out by an emotional Naga Munchetty, as she shared Sesi's words: "Our lovely Billy died yesterday evening. Almost five years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.
"The last week of his life was very special as the whole family was with him and they shared some wonderful moments. Although Bill was often in pain, he was dignified and brave throughout and he was his usual determined self right until the very end. He made us laugh everyday. We are immensely proud of him. He was the heart of our family. It's hard to imagine life without him."
Susanna also shared a tribute yesterday as she admitted she was completely "heartbroken".
"Bill was the kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business. I feel lucky to have worked with him and he taught me everything. But above all, he was devoted to his family and I am heartbroken for them. RIP Bill. We will miss you so much," she shared.
