BILL Turnbull's Strictly partner Karen Hardy broke down in tears as she read out his final text on BBC Breakfast.
The former BBC Breakfast presenter's death was announced on Thursday at the age of 66 following a battle with prostate cancer.
Tributes from all who knew him immediately started to flow in and today's show was in his honour.
At one point, presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt spoke to Karen Hardy, who had been Bill's professional dance partner when he competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005.
The pair had forged a close bond during the time on the show and remained good friends right up until his death.
Speaking via video link from New Zealand, Karen warned the presenters she was still very emotional about his passing and was doing her best not to cry.
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She spoke movingly of the journalist, saying: "This man was just a legend, we were the third year of doing Strictly and I got to meet with this most incredible man.
"He had no idea what I was going through, I had long retired from dancing, I'd just had a baby and I remember our meeting, it was all very secretive."
Karen recalled how she heard this booming voice demanding they get on with filming their meet up quickly as he had things to do, and she remembered thinking: "does he even know who I am? does he know what I've given up to be here?"
Thankfully, within moments of meeting the pair understood each other, and Karen said: "We went down the most incredible pathway, my stud muffin.
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"What's magical about Strictly is you get to know the real people, I got to see a side of this gentleman."
Karen then asked if it was OK to read out one of the last text messages she had from Bill, but immediately became choked up.
She said: "One of my last texts with him, he goes, 'Amazing how after 16 years people still ask me about Strictly. Some of the best fun I ever had. I'm always grateful to you for that.'"
Karen then became overcome with emotion and cried, leading host Naga Munchetty to step in and thank her for speaking about her former colleague so movingly.
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.
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