Tom Bradby pays heart-wrenching tribute to ITV friend Emily Morgan at funeral
ITV newsreader Tom Bradby paid an emotional tribute to his colleague and close friend Emily Morgan at her funeral on Wednesday.
The journalist, who worked for ITV News for more than two decades, was only 45 when she died from lung cancer in May.
Tom was joined by a number of other guests attending the service in Gloucestershire at the same church Emily wed her husband Robert.
He described her as a "joy" to work with and said they enjoyed "epic amounts of laughter" together.
Tom addressed her friends and family and said: "Nothing gave me as much joy – few things in my working life have given me as much joy – as watching her fall in love with Rob and have two wonderful daughters who she talked about constantly and adored.
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Emily Morgan died in May (ITV)"So finally then, what I can really say, is a version of what I said in my tribute on News at Ten to Emily, farewell my friend, we did know you and we really loved you," Tom said, according to Metro.
Emily was the broadcaster's health and science editor, and played a key role in its coverage of the COVID pandemic.
Reporting from behind the healthcare frontline, her work was described as 'instrumental' in exposing the pressure NHS workers were under.
Sharing a tribute after the news of her death was announced, ITV said: "We are devastated at the passing of our remarkable colleague Emily Morgan. Emily was a hugely talented journalist and a much-loved friend and mentor to so many here. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Emily’s family."
Chris Ship, the channel's royal editor was one of a string of people who paid tribute to Emily.
"She was such a beautiful person and a dear friend," he tweeted.
"As Health Editor, Emily was fearless in reporting Covid to the nation in 2020. "Talented, kind, full of humanity. She was 45."
The editor of ITV Network News, Andrew Dagnell also paid a tribute to Emily.
Emily with her two daughters (ITV)
Tom Bradby says she was a 'joy' to work with (PA)"Her reporting was instrumental in exposing the immense pressure and strain that NHS workers were under, and she became a trusted voice for the public during an unprecedented time," he said in a statement.
"Emily's passion for the role was evident in everything she did and her work was a constant reminder of why journalism matters. Her dedication to informing and educating our viewers will continue to inspire all those who were privileged to work alongside her.
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"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."
While NHS England wrote: "Everyone at NHS England deeply saddened to hear this terrible news.
"Emily was a brilliant journalist whose coverage of Covid in particular was exceptional. She will be hugely missed and our thoughts are with her colleagues, friends and, most of all, her family."
In 2021, Emily reflected on the challenges covering the pandemic saying: "It isn’t easy reporting on deaths, especially large numbers. What every death is not, is a statistic.
"Yet, with so many, the fear is each one gets added in with another and they become a blur of numbers."
"That is why it is so important to reflect on individual cases, speak to family and friends, use victims’ names, photos and memories. It is impossible to do this with every one but crucial to do it with as many as possible," she said.
Emily took great pride in her work, but she was most proud of her family, including her two young daughters.
She told many colleagues at ITV that she wanted to be remembered, not as a journalist, but as a mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend.
"They are the things that matter," Emily previously said.
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