Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have paid a heartfelt tribute to former This Morning host Stephen Rhodes, who has passed away at the age of 66 from motor neurone disease this week. Taking the moment to remember the late radio presenter on Thursday's show, Holly announced: "Some very sad news reached us yesterday that former This Morning presenter Stephen Rhodes passed away on Monday after a battle with motor neurone disease."
© Photo: ITVFormer This Morning host Stephen Rhodes has passed away at the age of 66
Co-host Phillip added: "Stephen filled in for Richard and Judy between 1994 and 1997 as a regular face in the Albert Dock and also here on the South Bank. We're sending all our love to Stephen's family this morning." As well as hosting the ITV daytime show, Stephen was also the voice of Family Fortunes for 12 years. The broadcaster started his career at Dublin pirate radio station ARD Radio in the 70s before he moved to local Birmingham radio station BRMB. He then joined the BBC in the 90s where he won six Sony Radio Academy Awards.
© Photo: ITVHolly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield paid a heartfelt tribute to the former This Morning host
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Stephen's daughter Bec appeared on BBC Three Counties Radio on Thursday to pay tribute to her father. She said: "For want of a better phrase, dad was a loud mouth but he never made a fuss, he was so humble even in the last couple of weeks. He kept on saying 'so sorry for making a fuss' and kept on saying to the nurses 'thank you so much for coming'." BBC Three Counties Editor Laura Moss said in a statement: "MND is a cruel disease. He faced it head on and campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the charity, fighting for better services and treatment." Stephen was diagnosed with the disease in 2014. During his last interview with Three Counties in August 2015, Stephen revealed he was trying to raise awareness of MND. "Anybody can get this," he explained. "There's no explanation as to how it comes around." He leaves behind his wife Greggy and four children.
