Viewers of The Jeremy Kyle Show were left in tears after a terminally-ill fan was granted her wish to appear on the programme.
Elizabeth Powell was hailed “the star of the show” by host Kyle as she sat in the audience in an episode that aired a week after she died.
Kyle told viewers at the start of the episode that she “has been incredibly unwell and desperate to see the show”.
He left the studio to surprise her as she was queueing to take her place in the audience, telling her: “I know all about you. Yyour daughter Jenna arranged this, because today this show is all about you.
“You’re our special star.”
The episode included a number of guests who were reunited with family members, before the focus returned to Mrs Powell.
Putting his arm around her, Kyle said: “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, you have been amazing today. You’ve smiled all the way through.##
“You won’t mind me telling the people watching this – it’ll get me going – you have a terminal illness. Coming here today was something that was very important for you.
“I’ve never seen anybody with such spirit, it’s amazing to meet you.”
Mrs Powell was shown a number of pre-recorded video messages from members of her family and friends, as well as her husband.
She was presented with a bouquet of flowers and an envelope of money to get people together for a meal.
The end credits included a tribute to Mrs Powell, which revealed she had died on January 9 at the age of 57.
Viewers took to Twitter to share their reactions, with one writing: “My heart has just absolutely broke at jeremy kyle i can’t stop crying, what a brave woman!!”
my heart has just absolutely broke at jeremy kyle i can’t stop crying😢 what a brave woman!!
— 𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖘 (@vaporbrad) January 16, 2019
Another wrote: “Crying buckets at #jeremykyle. People slag off this show but what he does for people is amazing and what a lovely thing to have done too for #elizabethpowell and her family too.
“Well done #Jezza and RIP Elizabeth xx.”
Crying buckets at #jeremykyle 😥 people slag off this show but what he does for people is amazing and what a lovely thing to have done too for #elizabethpowell and her family too 💖 well done #Jezza and RIP Elizabeth xx
— Donna Brittle (@PeanutBrittleD) January 16, 2019
A number of other viewers said they were “heartbroken” and praised Kyle for including her in the programme.
@itvjeremykyle I'm heartbroken at Elizabeth. #jeremykyle
— Gemma Dakin (@GemmaDakin93X) January 16, 2019
The Jeremy Kyle Show tweeted: “Such sad news to hear about Elizabeth after the show, our hearts go out to Jenna and the family in this difficult time.
Such sad news to hear about Elizabeth after the show, our hearts go out to Jenna and the family in this difficult time. We were grateful to have had the privilege to have spent some time with them.
— The Jeremy Kyle Show (@itvjeremykyle) January 16, 2019
“We were grateful to have had the privilege to have spent some time with them.”