2 days ago
This Morning hosts pay emotional tribute to British Air India crash passenger who appeared on show and is feared dead - gushing 'we loved his energy in the studio'
This Morning hosts paid an emotional tribute to a British Air India crash passenger who appeared on the show and is feared dead.
Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, featured on the ITV daytime programme in January and April this year and discussed the healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry he founded with his husband, Jamie Meek, 45, who was also thought to be on the plane.
'We are starting today with the tragic flight disaster dominating the news this morning,' Dermot O'Leary said at the beginning of Friday's instalment of This Morning.
The couple are thought to be among the 241 victims who perished when the flight crashed just after take-off from Ahmedabad bound for Gatwick on Thursday (June 12).
Dermot added: 'Sadly, one of those believed to have lost his life is Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek.
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Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek (second right) featured on the ITV daytime programme in January and April this year and discussed the healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry he founded with his husband, Jamie Meek, 45, who was also thought to be on the plane.
The couple are thought to be among the 241 victims who perished when the flight crashed just after take-off from Ahmedabad bound for Gatwick on Thursday (June 12). Pictured: A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed
'Fiongal appeared on This Morning twice this year, we loved the energy he brought to the studio. Fiongal was on board the plane with his husband Jamie.
'The couple posted videos online about their flight just before boarding and our thoughts and prayers go to their loved ones and all those affected by the terrible tragedy.'
Presenter Alison Hammond added: 'Of the 242 people of those 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.'
Former This Morning editor Martin Frizell paid tribute to Fiognal on his Insatgram account yesterday.
He posted a photo of Fiongnal smiling with Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley alongside the caption: '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.'
Jamie and Fiongal, who live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday.
In a chilling final social media video posted from Ahmedabad airport as they waited to board their doomed flight the couple were dressed in flowery shirts looking happy at the end of their break.
In the clip, Fiongal says: 'We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie?
Jamie replies: 'I don't know,' with his partner laughing and responding: 'Thanks for your contribution.'
Fiongal then jokes that his biggest takeaway was 'don't lose your patience with your partner' to which Jamie responds with a smile: 'You snapped at me at the airport for having chai.'
As other passengers mill in the background, Fiongal laughs at the camera and reveals that he is going back to Britain 'happily, happily calm.'
Jamie Meek's brother, Nick Meek, told MailOnline: 'We were expecting him home tonight. He should have landed at 6.30pm and then driven up for about 11pm to get his dog who is staying with our Mum.
'She is not in a good way. It is all very raw for her at the moment. It's a lot to take in and we only heard this news a couple of hours ago.
'Jamie and his husband Fin had been out there for 10 days as a couple to do a wellness retreat.
'They both worked in holistics and had their own business.'
The caretaker from Birmingham said it was not the first time his brother had been to India but it was the first time they had gone as a couple.
He said that his brother and Fin had married in 2022 and lived in Ramsgate, Kent.
In other videos posted by the couple, they showed the stunning hotel they were staying in while in Ahmedabad having completed a seven-hour car journey.
Fiongal lies on a large bed as he speaks to the camera, showing off a giant swing in their room and describes the hotel as 'beautiful.
He beams: 'Feeling very, very happy.'
The couple captured the happy time they had in India in a series of social media posts.
This included getting henna tattoos, shopping for fine fabrics and other gifts and driving through chaotic traffic in a tuk-tuk.
They arrived in Ahmedabad just a day before flying back with Fiongal posting in a video: 'So, it's our last night in India and we've had a magical experience. Some mind-blowing things have happened.
'We are going to put all this together and create a vlog. It's my first ever vlog about the whole trip and we want to share it.'
Jamie revealed what a memorable trip they had both had: 'We have been on quite a journey and then spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel, it's really been great way to round off the trip.'
According to its website, The Wellness Foundry was founded by Fiongal in 2018 after he had a 'spiritual awakening' following a mysterious illness.
The website adds: 'Seeking healing beyond conventional methods, Fiongal delved into alternative practices that resonated deeply within his soul.'
The company specialises in tarot and psychic readings, reiki and other alternative spiritual therapies.
