Gyles Brandreth was visibly emotional on This Morning as he shared the news of his cat Nala's death. The 77-year-old broadcaster appeared on the ITV programme to discuss current affairs but began the segment by paying tribute to the pet, describing her loss as "heartbreaking".
Speaking to hosts Sian Welby and Rylan Clark, Brandreth explained that Nala had originally been the neighbour's cat before climbing over the garden wall and adopting his wife, Michele. He noted that she was nearly 20 years old, a Maine Coon, and had been suffering from kidney failure and a tumour, as well as difficulty walking. "It was time to say goodbye," he said, adding that she had brought only happiness to their lives.
The emotional moment comes just a week after Brandreth broke down in tears on the same show when a photograph of his late father was shown during a VJ Day segment. On that occasion, he became overwhelmed while remembering his father.
During the discussion, Brandreth revealed that the vet had mentioned a stray kitten in need of a home, prompting questions about whether it might be too soon to adopt again. Sian Welby suggested it seemed "meant to be", while Rylan Clark offered his condolences, saying they were sorry for both Brandreth and his wife.
He went on to explain that his wife had struggled with Nala's absence, as the cat used to sleep on her stomach. "Last night, I had to spend the whole night on her tummy so that she could go to sleep. I tried to be a bit like Nala," he said.
Brandreth also shared the news on Instagram, posting a photograph of Nala and describing her as "beautiful, brilliant and just the best feline friend you could ever have".
