SAD NEWS: BBC Morning Live star’s on-air tribute to sporting icon after de@th ‘absolute legend’
A star of BBC’s Morning Live star delivered an emotional Kevin Keegan tribute on The One Show.
Morning Live star Dr Xand paid tribute on The One Show (Image: BBC)
A BBC Morning Live star has paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, after an emotional segment on The One Show. The former England manager died in July aged 75, just weeks after revealing he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. On Sunday, August 23, memorial tributes will be held at St James’ Park ahead of a Premier League clash between two of his former clubs, Newcastle United and Liverpool. A minute’s applause is scheduled before kick-off in honour of Keegan, while both sides will warm up wearing special shirts and black armbands.
Friday’s (August 21) episode of The One Show, hosted by Angellica Bell and JB Gill, featured a segment on the match when tributes were paid by studio guest Dr Xand van Tulleken, who’s a regular on BBC Morning Live, and actor Robson Green via a video link, reports Chronicle Live.
Kevin Keegan died last month aged 75 (Image: Getty)
JB said to Dr Xand: “You’re a massive football fan, but he also meant a lot to you, didn’t he?”
Dr Xand replied: “I grew up, I remember thinking when I’m a grown up, I will have a dimple in my chin and a full head of hair like that… it hasn’t happened! But what an absolute legend.”
Meanwhile, during the video clip, artist Adebanji Alade shared how Kevin Keegan’s book had changed his life, and led to his career. “Inside that book, I practiced all the skills I could, but what really got me, were the pictures in that book. It sparked my passion for sketching, and that has been with me ever since,” he said.
Tributes have been paid to Kevin Keegan (Image: Getty)
He added: “Kevin Keegan did it all for club and country. He won league titles and European cups with Liverpool, played back-to-back Ballon d’Ors at Hamburg, then as both player and manager, he took Newcastle to the brink of the Premier League title. When news of his de@th broke, hundreds of fans headed to St James’ Park to play their respects.”
In the clip, Grantchester actor Robson, a felloow Geordie, said: “He reminded us all that football wasn’t just something you watched, it was something you belonged to. And Liverpool fans and players, it’s the same with Newcastle. We didn’t just like and respect Kevin Keegan, we loved him, and we’ll never forget him.”
