BBC Morning Live host Gethin Jones interrupted the show to pay tribute to legendary singer Bonnie Tyler, who has died at the age of 75. The Total Eclipse of the Heart star passed away unexpectedly in a Portuguese hospital following complications from emergency intestinal surgery.
Family Confirms Heartbreaking News
A statement on Bonnie Tyler's website read: "Bonnie's family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for." The statement continued: "We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy."
The Welsh icon had been hospitalised and placed in an induced coma after emergency intestinal surgery. Her spokesperson last month confirmed she had come out of the coma but remained "very unwell and in intensive care," according to Wales Online.
Live On-Air Tribute
Gethin Jones, joined by Kimberley Walsh in the BBC Morning Live studio, paused a health segment with Dr Ranj Singh to announce the "sad" update. Gethin said: "Ranj, we'll come back to you in just a second to talk about insect bites. Just hearing some breaking news this morning. Singer Bonnie Tyler, known for hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart has died at the age of 75."
He read out the statement from her website, adding: "Sad news" as Kimberley called her a "legend." Gethin went on: "I met Bonnie a few years ago during the Queen's Jubilee in Swansea. She walked out and everyone just stopped. She had the most infectious, energetic personality, when it just lifts everyone." Kimberley added: "That voice is incredible." Gethin concluded: "Really, really sad news about Bonnie Tyler who has died at the age of 75."
Health Struggles Before Death
A friend of Bonnie had previously shared a health update on Good Morning Britain. After news that she was in an induced coma after emergency intestinal surgery, her friend Liberto said: "I could not see her because she is in intensive care and we are praying to get better news. The doctors are positive with the situation, but so far, it's not that good."
Liberto had earlier detailed: "She started feeling unwell during a concert in London and went to a doctor for tests, but they didn't detect anything there. She decided to travel to the Algarve, where she began to feel severe abdominal pain. Two days later, she went to a private hospital, which urgently transferred her to the hospital in Faro because her appendix had burst and she needed emergency surgery."
Liberto also said that Bonnie's husband Robert Sullivan, who transported her to the private hospital before her emergency surgery, had been spending his days at her hospital bedside, only going home to sleep at night.
