BBC Radio 2's Zoe Ball in tears as she halts show to pay tribute to John Hunt after family tragedy

Zoe Ball paused her BBC Radio 2 show to deliver a heartfelt message to John Hunt following the tragic loss of his wife Carol, aged 61, and daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, in a harrowing crossbow attack.

The appalling incident took place at a residence in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday, where the women were found with life-ending injuries.

Kyle Clifford, 26, the man accused of the triple homicide, was apprehended on Wednesday afternoon in a cemetery after a widespread manhunt.

After Tina Daheley's news bulletin, Zoe, aged 53, took a moment to pay tribute to the respected racing commentator. Addressing her listeners, she said: "I must say, everyone at the BBC is heartbroken and deeply shocked at the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with John Hunt... we are holding you in our heart, John."

John, who has been a distinguished voice on BBC Radio 5 Live for nearly 20 years, has been praised as an "outstanding commentator and broadcaster" amid a flood of sympathy messages. Colleagues received a memo on Wednesday confirming that the BBC is ready to provide "all the support we can".

The memo read: "The news today about John Hunt's family is utterly devastating. Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can,", reports the Mirror.

Emotional tributes have been pouring in, including from colleague Mark Chapman at Radio 5 Live.

Speaking on the Euro 2024 pre-match programme, he said: "John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live sports team but to all of those who have worked here with him over the past 20 years. On behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live Sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family."

BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght also expressed his shock upon hearing the tragic news, stating: "There are no words. Like everyone else I feel numb and sick on John's behalf at such incomprehensible evil. Everyone who knows John knows he is the absolute archetypal family man, so proud of them, so it's impossible to know what he can be going through."

Adding to the surge of comforting messages, he further expressed: "But I know I'm speaking for the whole racing community and the whole wider sports media community as well, both of which he's been part of for so long, when I say everyone is sending sympathy, love and support to him. It's just awful."

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.