14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
This Morning star's family confirm they died on tragic Air India crash as they share heartbreaking statement on the show
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE family of a This Morning star have confirmed he tragically passed away during the devastating Air India plane crash.
The disaster on the London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Ahmedabad saw the deaths of 279 passengers and airport staff last week.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
7
The family of a This Morning star has confirmed they died on the tragic Air India crash
Credit: ITV
7
ITV show star Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and husband his husband Jamie Meek sadly passed away during the incident last week
Credit: ITV
7
Fiongal had appeared on the ITV daytime show twice discussing the couple's wellness business
Credit: instagram
The jet appeared to lose height moments after take-off and smashed into a doctor's hostel in Ahmedabad, India.
Some 241 passengers and crew are believed to have been killed - leaving a miracle sole survivor - and 28 people on the ground also died.
Now This Morning anchors Ben Shephard, 50, and Cat Deeley, 48, have confirmed show star Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and husband his husband Jamie Greenlaw-Meek have sadly passed away during the incident.
It came after a chilling final video showing them at the airport resurfaced.
Fiongal, 39, appeared twice on the ITV daytime show earlier this year, discussing the healthy lifestyle company he founded with his husband Jamie, 45.
On Tuesday's This Morning, Cat opened the episode with the heart-wrenching tribute.
She said: "We'd like to start by taking a moment to send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Jamie and Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek who tragically lost their lives in the Air India crash on Thursday."
Her ITV co-host Ben continued: "Yeah, as more details continue to emerge from the devastating tragedy their loved ones have asked us to share a statement on their behalf."
He then read the document which said: "It is with profound sadness and unimaginable heartbreak that we confirm both Jamie and Fiongal were passengers on the Air India flight that has tragically crashed in India.
"They were a bright light in so many of our lives, deeply loved as sons, brothers and friends, their warmth, kindness, humour and generous spirits touched everyone who knew them.
New footage has emerged of the moment miracle Brit Vishwash Ramesh calmly walked away from the Air India horror
"We are all beyond devastated by the news and are struggling to come to terms with the potential of a live without them.
"They would want us to spread positive energy to the world and especially at this time, may peace and love prevail, where there is darkness spread light, love and laughter."
Ben then shared the ITV daytime hosts' direct experience with the pair, and commented: "We were lucky enough to spend some time with both of them, Fiongal on the show of course, Jamie behind the scenes."
Cat then added: "Yeah, just absolutely charming gentlemen who were so positive.
Visit our This Morning page for the latest updates
"I've still got my Palo Santo that he gave me and rosemary that I burn," before Ben added he had kept his "care package" from the pair.
He added: "It was heartbreaking those lives of those two men that were so full of joy, wonderful souls, were tragically lost."
Jamie and Fiongal, who lived in London and ran the wellness brand the Wellness Foundry, had been in India for about 10 days on a wellness retreat.
Although Jamie had been to India before, this was their first trip as a couple since marrying in 2022.
They lived together in Ramsgate, Kent.
FINAL SCENES
Jamie and Fiongal were among the passengers who passed away when the flight crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, bound for Gatwick.
In their chilling final clip filmed at Ahmedabad airport, Fiongal and Jamie, dressed in floral shirts and visibly happy, reflect on their trip.
Fiongal says: 'We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie?'
Jamie responds: 'I don't know,' prompting Fiongal's laughter and a teasing, 'Thanks for your contribution.'
Fiongal jokes that his main lesson was 'don't lose your patience with your partner,' to which Jamie smiles and replies, 'You snapped at me at the airport for having chai.'
Passengers mill in the background as Fiongal adds, 'I'm going back to Britain happily, happily calm.'
This Morning previously paid tribute to Fiongal during Friday's broadcast.
Dermot O'Leary said: 'We are starting today with the tragic flight disaster dominating the news this morning. Sadly, one of those believed to have lost his life is Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek.'
Co-presenter Alison Hammond added: 'Of the 242 people on board, 241 lost their lives, including 52 from the UK, making it the worst aviation disaster involving British nationals since the 9/11 attacks.'
Martin Frizell, former editor of This Morning, posted a touching tribute on Instagram, sharing a photo of Fiongal smiling alongside Ben and Cat.
He wrote: 'So, so sad to hear that Fiongal Greenlaw Meek and his partner are reported to be among the passengers and crew killed today on board the Air India flight bound for Gatwick.
"I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although I'm a sceptical sort his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.
"And I know for a fact that he hoped to use his appearance on This Morning to build his Wellness brand, he had a great future ahead of him.
"Thoughts are with his family and friends and those of his partner Jamie.'
7
This Morning anchors Ben and Cat recalled their sweet memories of the pair
Credit: ITV
7
A haunting video of the couple prior to boarding the flight had since resurfaced
7
They headed to India for a retreat
Credit: Facebook / Jamie Greenlaw-Meek