ITV This Morning Star Breaks Down in Tears While Sharing Heartbreaking Family Tragedy

Deidre Sanders had viewers reaching for the tissues during a heartfelt moment on This Morning on Tuesday (March 18), as she opened up about her late husband’s passing while speaking to a grieving caller. The beloved agony aunt joined hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on the famous blue sofa to chat with ITV viewers struggling with loneliness. One call, in particular, hit home when she spoke to Allan, a 62-year-old from Dorset, who has been feeling isolated since losing his husband Keith on Christmas Eve last year.

“Since then, it’s been just very lonely,” Allan admitted. “I’ve got friends and family in Scotland, but it’s not the same, they’ve got their own lives so I can’t have them there.” Allan shared how Keith had filled their home with laughter, and the reality of living alone had been difficult to come to terms with. As he spoke, Deidre’s expression softened, visibly moved by his words.

“I obviously completely empathize with that because I’ve been through the same thing myself,” she responded. “I really do sympathize, Allan. I do know how hard it is when you’ve lost a partner, particularly one that made you laugh a lot. Mine did too”, reported the Manchester Evening News.

Deidre then opened up about her own grief, recalling the devastating loss of her husband Rick in December 2022. The raw emotion in her voice was impossible to miss as she reflected on her own struggles with loneliness.

Gently offering Allan some advice, she encouraged him to consider counseling and suggested looking into support groups for those who have lost their partners. “Look around your area, and think about interests you’d have and what you’d connect with,” she advised. “I’d always say volunteering because it’s a really good thing to do, and it refocuses your thinking.”

Ben chimed in, reinforcing Deidre’s message. “I think one of the things as well, Deidre, you can probably speak to this much better than me, but reaching out and telling people that you’re feeling a bit lonely is a really important step.”

Agreeing, Deidre pointed out how difficult it can be for friends to know what to say to someone who has been widowed. “I think it’s really important to ring somebody up and say, ‘I could do with a chat,’” she said, before dabbing away a tear as Cat smoothly introduced the next caller.

Previously, Deidre had shared that her husband Rick passed away just days after she received the news that she had been awarded an MBE for her contributions to charity and mental health. Despite the heartbreak, she found comfort in knowing that they were able to celebrate the honour together before his passing. “It was lovely that we could share that,” she said.

Viewers were quick to praise Deidre for her honesty and vulnerability, with many taking to social media to commend her for shedding light on the often unspoken struggles of grief and loneliness.