Yahoo News Lorraine Kelly too emotional to read tribute from late producer Hannah Hawkins' husband
The TV star admitted how upset she and all the team were feeling over the loss of producer Hannah Hawkins who has died from breast cancer at the age of 33.
Watch: Lorraine shares emotional tribute to co-worker
What did you miss?
Lorraine Kelly confessed she would not be able to read out a tribute to her late producer as she was too emotional.
Hannah Hawkins – who worked as producer on ITV daytime show Lorraine – has died at the age of 33 after losing her battle with secondary breast cancer.
Kelly admitted how upset she and all the team were feeling and became choked up as she said she would not be able to read out the tribute to Hawkins shared by her husband Tom on Instagram.
What, how, and why?
Kelly broke the news of Hawkins death on Instagram at the weekend when she reshared a post from the producer's husband Tom Hawkins adding: "The saddest news."
Hawkins was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and went into remission a year later.
Just two days before she welcomed her son Rory in August this year she was told by doctors her cancer had returned. She died less than three months later, on Friday, 3 November.
Speaking on her show on Monday morning Kelly admitted: "Everybody's been very upset today."
A much-loved member of our team, producer Hannah Hawkins died just before the weekend after discovering her cancer had returned only a few months ago, shortly before she gave birth to her son Rory. She was incredible at raising awareness and money for breast cancer, and we have… pic.twitter.com/2XWj2I0nR7
— Lorraine (@lorraine) November 6, 2023
She went on: "There's not a bad word to say about her. She was just a lovely woman and a much loved part of the team.
"It's horrific for her lovely husband and her wee baby Rory. He will grow up without his mum but he will be told by everybody all about her."
Kelly added: "Her husband Tom has shared a tribute to her [on social media]. I was going to read it out but I don't think I could get through."
The TV presenter's voice began to falter as she added: "I really don't."
Tom Hawkins wrote in his tribute: "For someone who’s love language was gift giving, leaving us they day before my birthday was really not the one. I wish you’d kept the receipt.
"There is no way I can pay tribute or sum you up in one post. In fact I could write an essay on how unfair this is. That you miss out on seeing Rory growing up, that he won’t be able to feel the love of his mum, and that this terrible illness took hold so quickly.
"But that’s not how you saw it. The remarkable person that you were, the phrase you used so many times over the last few weeks - and it set me off every time; “I’m so at peace with the life I’ve lived” is something we can all admire...
"Your life can be defined simply by love, friendship and strength and I’ll make sure these are cornerstones of Rory’s life. I want him to know how much everyone loved his mum, and how much love you gave...
"This is the legacy you leave for our little boy, this and so much more."
What else happened on Lorraine
Kelly was joined by Dr Hilary Jones to talk about their memories of Hawkins.
He said: "It is a reminder, since we've lost her at the tender age of 33 that breast cancer can strike young people as well as old."
Kelly said they were breaking with the show's protocol to promote the Hawkins family's crowdfunding campaign to raise money for two-month-old baby Rory.
She said: "We don't usual mention this, but we will. There is a [fundraising] page for Rory.
"It's totally up to you [to donate] but it's a wonderful way because he's going to miss his mum so much.
"Knowing his mother he will probably follow in her footsteps and end up giving it to a cancer charity."
The JustGiving page set up by Hannah's husband Tom aimed to raise a legacy fund of £5,000 for Rory and has already surpassed its target, making over £25k.
Jones also revealed the Lorraine show's Change + Check Choir have dedicated their new charity single Golden to Hawkins' memory.
Profits from downloads of the song will go towards the breast cancer charity Future Dreams, which supports research into secondary breast cancer.
Lorraine airs on ITV1 at 9am on Monday to Friday.
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