Lorraine Kelly was close to tears today as she admitted that co-star Deborah James would "bounce back".
Deborah, 40, revealed last night that she was in hospice care and that she is spending time her last days surrounded by family and friends.
Joining Susanna Reid and Richard Madely today, Lorraine became emotional as she spoke about Deborah - who she had worked closely with on ITV's No Butts campaign to raise awareness of bowel cancer
"She's amazing, isn't she? Absolutely astonishing," she said, before referring to Deborah's campaign to raise money for Cancer Research.
So far, Deborah has raised more than £800,000 in just 24 hours and Lorraine explained: "This fantastic idea that we buy her a drink, and the money we would spend on the drink, we would put it into the Bowel Babe fund."
She gushed over the amount raised: "She'll be absolutely thrilled and overjoyed with that!"
But appearing to choke up, Lorraine continued: "I thought, as I always do, that she would bounce back... but she's getting very well looked after by everybody that loves her. So we'll be talking about that today."
It comes after much-loved BBC star Deborah penned on Monday: "The tweet I never wanted to write. The time has come to say goodbye.
"It has been 5 years to prepare, doesn’t make it any easy.
"I’m under hospice at home care, & I’m spending my time surrounded by my family. Please buy me a wine to see me out and raise vital funds."
Deborah was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2016, but her health has been declining over the last few months.
In April, she was recovering in ICU after suffering an infection over the Easter weekend.
Sharing a message at the time outside her room in a hospital gown and bunny ear,s she said: "I'm so sad not to be there at the launch of the No Butts campaign. But obviously, my health has had a bit of a ride recently - still in hospital. Actually, sitting outside on the balcony outside ICU but I'm getting better.
"However, I've sent my mum along because this year's campaign is going to be bigger and peachier than ever. We have pants and flags. We're flying the flag for bowel cancer all around the UK.
"And it's so important that we continue to raise awareness because ultimately if we stop it and catch it earlier, we can save lives. Thank you guys for being part of that and spreading the word."
Reacting to her message, Lorraine gushed: "Thank you Deborah! We're sending you all our love - I know she's watching this morning."
