In a heartfelt moment on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Richard Madeley struggled to hold back his emotions as he paid tribute to a close friend who recently passed away. During the episode aired on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the 69-year-old host shared the screen with Kate Garraway and comedian Stephen Mangan, who was discussing his work on the Landscape Artist of the Year program.
As the interview neared its conclusion, Richard felt it essential to honor the memory of Stuart Prebble, a beloved colleague with whom they both had the pleasure of working. "I don’t want to end this interview without paying tribute to a very dear friend of ours, Stuart Prebble," he stated, visibly struggling to maintain his composure. His emotional pause spoke volumes, revealing the depth of his feelings as he added, "He was the boss of both programs."
Kate Garraway, aware of Richard's emotional state, offered her support by acknowledging the closeness of their relationship.
"I knew Stuart for 50 years," Richard reminisced, reflecting on his long-standing friendship. He then revealed to Stephen, "We last met at his funeral," a statement that drew a confirming nod from Stephen, who noted how beautifully Richard had delivered the eulogy during the service. "You spoke very beautifully as well," Stephen complimented him, underscoring the impact of Richard’s heartfelt words.
"Well, I was speaking about a truly wonderful man," Richard responded, his voice thick with emotion. "And we miss him dearly. I just thought it was important to say something more about him."
Richard remained visibly moved as the segment with Stephen wrapped up, leading him to turn towards Kate and ask if she would like to take over for the next part of the show. "Right, um, do you want to do this next bit?" he inquired, to which Kate replied, "Yes, I think I should." Richard graciously responded, "Lovely, lovely person you are. Lovely person."
Stuart Prebble, who passed away last year at the age of 74, had a prolific career in television, contributing significantly to both ITV and the BBC. Beyond his broadcasting achievements, he was also an accomplished author, known for works such as A Power in the Land and The Lazarus File, and served as both executive producer and writer for the series Grumpy Old Men.
Good Morning Britain airs every weekday at 6 am on ITV1, providing viewers not just news but also heartfelt moments like this one.
