28 May 2023 , 23:08
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Broadcaster Emily Morgan told her colleagues how she wanted to be remembered shortly before her death.
The ITV News health and science editor passed away on Friday at the age of 45, surrounded by family.
ITN announced the mum-of-two's death in a statement on Twitter.
The broadcaster confirmed her cause of death as lung cancer, which it's understood Emily had suffered with for a short time.
She had worked on the frontline reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic, but her career achievements was not something she wanted to be defined by in death.
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ITN announced the mum-of-two's death in a statement on Twitter (ITV)Emily told colleagues at the channel that she wanted to be remembered, not as a journalist, but as a mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. She had previously said: "They are the things that matter."
Fellow journalist Geraint Vincent echoed her last wishes as he fought back tears while paying tribute to his late colleague at the end of News At 10 on Friday night.
He said: "Tonight we have something to report that has affected all of us at ITV news very deeply.
"It is the death after a short illness of our on-screen colleague and much-loved friend Emily Morgan, our much loved health and science editor."
He added: "Emily worked here for 23 years first behind the scenes as a producer, but for most of that time lighting up our programmes every day as a political and then health reporter.
"At 45 years old, she was at the very top of her game as anyone who followed her peerless reporting of the Covid pandemic will remember well.
Emily died age 45 (ITV)"But she was also, as she wanted the world to know, a mum to her two cherished daughters, a wife, a sister and a daughter herself and it is with all of her family that our thoughts are with tonight.”
Tributes have been pouring in for the much-loved journalist, including from Andrew Dagnell, editor of the ITV Network News, who said: "Our thoughts are with Emily's family. Emily was proud to be a journalist, but she was even more proud of her family.
"She adored them. We are sending them our love and support at this unthinkably difficult time.
"Emily was an exceptional journalist, a devoted mother and wife, and a true trailblazer in our field. Her friendship, her professionalism and her enormous contribution to our industry and to the public conversation will not be forgotten."
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