Good Morning Britain host Ben Shephard has spoken about his experience filming Tipping Point with the late rapper Coolio, following his death at the age of 59.
The musician who was best known for Gangsta's Paradise – the iconic soundtrack to 90s film Dangerous Minds – died from a suspected cardiac arrest, his manager revealed, after a friend found him lying unresponsive on their bathroom floor.
Tributes have poured in for the Grammy-winning rapper following the tragic news, with Ben Shephard sharing his own meeting with the star on Thursday morning’s Good Morning Britain.
The Tipping Point frontman said Coolio featured on an early edition of the celebrity Lucky Stars version of the show.
He told co-star Susanna Reid: “In one of those brilliantly random television and showbiz collisions – between the world of hardcore rap and light entertainment – Coolio was on one of the first episodes back in 2013.
The early morning ITV show then played a clip of the late rapper’s appearance on the show, which saw him standing at one of the lecterns in front of the infamous giant retro arcade game.
After the clip, Susanna jokingly asked Ben: “Did you have a moment when you said, I’m saying ‘Let’s load drop zone two for Coolio’? The Grammy award winning, billion streams on Spotify for Gangster’s Paradise Coolio.”
Smiling, Ben replied: “It felt like a very natural fit,” before he added: “The really lovely thing was we filmed all these in a block, as you guys know, and they were all staying in the same hotel.
“Cami was doing one as well and that evening I went to meet Cami for a drink and Cami was having a drink in a hotel in Wimbledon with Coolio.
“It was one of those extraordinary moments – and he was just lovely. He was a really lovely addition. A bit surreal, but amazing to have him in it. All the greats have done it.”
Stars from across the globe have paid their respects to the rapper, with Michelle Pfeiffer leading the way, following her lead role in Dangerous Minds.
The actress shared a clip of the huge hit tune and said she was ‘heartbroken’ at the news.
She wrote: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist Coolio. A life cut entirely too short.
“As some of you may know, I was lucky enough to work with him on Dangerous Minds in 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack – which I think was the reason our film saw so much success.”
She continued: “I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr.”
Among fellow '90s musicians to share heartfelt messages was MC Hammer, who took to Twitter to write: “One of the nicest dudes I’ve known. Good people. R.I.P. Coolio.”
