ITV This Morning star opens up on tragic death 'it was quite a struggle'
This Morning presenters Rylan Clark and Sian Welby were on hand to share the latest headlines on Friday's show before touching on their co-star Gyles Brandreth's heartbreaking news.
This Morning's Gyles Brandreth has shared the heartbreaking news of his cherished cat's death.
During Friday's (August 22) episode of the ITV daytime programme, This Morning presenters Rylan Clark and Sian Welby paused to offer their sympathies to their colleague, after Craig Doyle revealed his own personal loss earlier this week.
Before discussing the day's top stories with Gyles and Rachel Johnson, Rylan addressed the sad news surrounding Gyles' pet's death.
Rylan said: "Gyles, we've got to start, I can see the jumper, we love you dearly on this show but you've had some bad news."
Gyles responded: "I've shared my love for our cat Nala with viewers, she was the neighbours cat who came over a few years ago, danced over the garden wall and adopted my wife."
The ITV personality explained to viewers that the neighbours who had initially owned the cat told him and his wife that she clearly adored living with them and could remain with them, reports Wales Online.
He continued: "Sadly, she died yesterday. She was nearly 20 years of age. Was a Maine Coon, which is a very long life for a Maine Coon, she had kidney failure.
"She had a tumour, and she was getting not being able to walk. It was really time to say goodbye. It's heartbreaking because we loved her so much, and she only brought happiness into our lives. How wonderful to have a friend who did nothing but bring joy."
Nevertheless, in an unexpected twist, Gyles revealed that the vet informed him and his wife that they had a stray kitten which was seeking a new home.
He pondered: "We're thinking of going this afternoon (to look at her), is it too soon?" However, Rylan and Sian were quick to dismiss the idea, with Sian chiming in: "It feels meant to be."
Rylan advised: "You go whatever you're comfortable with, honestly. We know how much you loved Nala. The number of times that we've spoken about Nala on this show, we're just so sorry for both of you, we really are."
The vet let Gyles know that the kitten was named Ethel and they could foster her for a week to see how things went.
He continued: "It was quite a struggle last night, Nala always used to sleep on my wife's tummy at night. So last night, I had to spend my whole night with my hand on her tummy so that she would go to sleep, I tried to be a bit like Nala."
Gyles expressed his gratitude to the team for their understanding regarding his loss, having mentioned his cat's illness earlier in the week.
Craig Doyle revealed that his 11-year-old boxer, Rigby, had passed away after last Friday's show. At that time, Gyles shared that his wife was singing Nala to sleep every night as she was unwell, confessing she was on her 'last legs'.
This Morning is available to watch on ITVX.