Gyles Brandreth Breaks Down on This Morning as Chat Turns Deeply Personal

Gyles Brandreth opened up about one of the deepest losses in his life during an emotional moment on This Morning. The 77-year-old TV favorite was back on the ITV sofa with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on Monday, and while the chat started off light, it soon took a heartfelt turn.

Gyles was joined by Camilla Tominey to discuss the day’s news and headlines, but when the topic of best friends came up, it stirred some powerful memories for him. Cat asked, “Do you have any old friends from school?” and Gyles didn’t hesitate to share his story, reported the Entertainment Daily.

“I do, my best friend from school. Sadly I lost him when he was only in his forties,” he said. “People will have heard of him, well an older generation will. He was an actor called Simon Cadell. He was in Hi-de-Hi! Do you remember him?” he asked Cat, who gently replied, “I do.”

As photos of the pair flashed on the screen, including one from Gyles’ wedding day where Simon was present, Gyles smiled and said warmly, “That’s him at our wedding!”

Reflecting on their friendship, he added: “He was lovely. We were at school together and he was a year younger than me.”

He then shared one of his fondest early memories of Simon. “I put on a production when I was 13 or 14 of Sherlock Holmes. He played Holmes and he was brilliant!” he said, his pride and affection clear.

“He went on to be a very successful actor, he played Hamlet. He was a lovely guy,” Gyles continued. “It was a great sadness for me to lose him, because you do need your best friends.”

Cat softly responded with an “aww,” clearly touched, while Ben looked on with quiet sympathy.

Simon Cadell, best known for playing Jeffrey Fairbrother in the first five series of Hi-de-Hi!, had a remarkable career but faced serious health issues in his final years. In 1993, he suffered a heart attack and underwent triple heart bypass surgery. Tragically, he was later diagnosed with lymphoma and died in London in 1996 at the age of just 45.

Gyles’ tribute was simple, genuine and full of love. His words struck a chord with viewers, many of whom took to social media to share their condolences and fond memories of Simon. It was a moment that showed a very personal side to Gyles one that many could relate to and a poignant reminder of the importance of lifelong friendships and the heartbreak of losing them.

The touching moment was a break from the usual studio banter and left a real impact on those watching at home. For Gyles, it was clear that even decades later, the loss of a true friend still sits close to the heart.

Gyles Brandreth opened up about one of the deepest losses in his life during an emotional moment on This Morning. The 77-year-old TV favourite was back on the ITV sofa with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on Monday, and while the chat started off light, it soon took a heartfelt turn.

Gyles was joined by Camilla Tominey to discuss the day’s news and headlines, but when the topic of best friends came up, it stirred some powerful memories for him. Cat asked, “Do you have any old friends from school?” and Gyles didn’t hesitate to share his story.

“I do, my best friend from school. Sadly I lost him when he was only in his forties,” he said. “People will have heard of him, well an older generation will. He was an actor called Simon Cadell. He was in Hi-de-Hi! Do you remember him?” he asked Cat, who gently replied, “I do.”

As photos of the pair flashed on the screen, including one from Gyles’ wedding day where Simon was present, Gyles smiled and said warmly, “That’s him at our wedding!”

Reflecting on their friendship, he added: “He was lovely. We were at school together and he was a year younger than me.”

He then shared one of his fondest early memories of Simon. “I put on a production when I was 13 or 14 of Sherlock Holmes. He played Holmes and he was brilliant!” he said, his pride and affection clear.

“He went on to be a very successful actor, he played Hamlet. He was a lovely guy,” Gyles continued. “It was a great sadness for me to lose him, because you do need your best friends.”

Cat softly responded with an “aww,” clearly touched, while Ben looked on with quiet sympathy.

Simon Cadell, best known for playing Jeffrey Fairbrother in the first five series of Hi-de-Hi!, had a remarkable career but faced serious health issues in his final years. In 1993, he suffered a heart attack and underwent triple heart bypass surgery. Tragically, he was later diagnosed with lymphoma and died in London in 1996 at the age of just 45.

Gyles’ tribute was simple, genuine and full of love. His words struck a chord with viewers, many of whom took to social media to share their condolences and fond memories of Simon. It was a moment that showed a very personal side to Gyles — one that many could relate to — and a poignant reminder of the importance of lifelong friendships and the heartbreak of losing them.

The touching moment was a break from the usual studio banter and left a real impact on those watching at home. For Gyles, it was clear that even decades later, the loss of a true friend still sits close to the heart.

Gyles Brandreth opened up about one of the deepest losses in his life during an emotional moment on This Morning. The 77-year-old TV favourite was back on the ITV sofa with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on Monday, and while the chat started off light, it soon took a heartfelt turn.

Gyles was joined by Camilla Tominey to discuss the day’s news and headlines, but when the topic of best friends came up, it stirred some powerful memories for him. Cat asked, “Do you have any old friends from school?” and Gyles didn’t hesitate to share his story.

“I do, my best friend from school. Sadly I lost him when he was only in his forties,” he said. “People will have heard of him, well an older generation will. He was an actor called Simon Cadell. He was in Hi-de-Hi! Do you remember him?” he asked Cat, who gently replied, “I do.”

As photos of the pair flashed on the screen, including one from Gyles’ wedding day where Simon was present, Gyles smiled and said warmly, “That’s him at our wedding!”

Reflecting on their friendship, he added: “He was lovely. We were at school together and he was a year younger than me.”

He then shared one of his fondest early memories of Simon. “I put on a production when I was 13 or 14 of Sherlock Holmes. He played Holmes and he was brilliant!” he said, his pride and affection clear.

“He went on to be a very successful actor, he played Hamlet. He was a lovely guy,” Gyles continued. “It was a great sadness for me to lose him, because you do need your best friends.”

Cat softly responded with an “aww,” clearly touched, while Ben looked on with quiet sympathy.

Simon Cadell, best known for playing Jeffrey Fairbrother in the first five series of Hi-de-Hi!, had a remarkable career but faced serious health issues in his final years. In 1993, he suffered a heart attack and underwent triple heart bypass surgery. Tragically, he was later diagnosed with lymphoma and died in London in 1996 at the age of just 45.

Gyles’ tribute was simple, genuine and full of love. His words struck a chord with viewers, many of whom took to social media to share their condolences and fond memories of Simon. It was a moment that showed a very personal side to Gyles — one that many could relate to — and a poignant reminder of the importance of lifelong friendships and the heartbreak of losing them.

The touching moment was a break from the usual studio banter and left a real impact on those watching at home. For Gyles, it was clear that even decades later, the loss of a true friend still sits close to the heart.

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