Captain Tom Moore’s famous friends left heartbroken as Piers Morgan pays tribute to ‘magnificent man’ after hero’s death
CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore’s famous friends have been paying tribute to the national hero following his devastating death. The 100-year-old‘s family announced he had died of coronavirus in a statement this afternoon. Captain Tom raised £33million for the NHS after walking 100 laps of his garden. His selfless act saw him shoot to global stardom – and […]
CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore’s famous friends have been paying tribute to the national hero following his devastating death.
The 100-year-old‘s family announced he had died of coronavirus in a statement this afternoon.
Follow the latest tributes to Captain Tom Moore on our live blog…
Captain Tom raised £33million for the NHS after walking 100 laps of his garden.
His selfless act saw him shoot to global stardom – and gain a whole host of celebrity pals.
Heartbroken Piers Morgan today praised the World War II veteran who has been a shining light amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
He wrote on social media: “RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore, 100. A magnificent man.
“A national hero. In our darkest hour since WW2, he rallied Britain with his resilience, courage and optimism.
“Let us all heed his mantra in our own lives: ‘Tomorrow will be a good day.’ Thank you, Tom.”
His Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid said: “The man who united and inspired our nation at a moment of deepest despair.
“Thank you Captain Sir Tom Moore for your service. I am heartbroken for your family. A life well lived, and well loved. RIP.”
This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield said: “RIP Captain Sire Tom Moore. A remarkable man, an extraordinary life and a joyous inspiration.”
Peter Andre said: “This made me very sad. Rest in Peace.”
Presenter Gary Lineker wrote: “How terribly sad. Captain Sir Tom Moore has passed away.
“What an extraordinary life, with the most wonderful finale over the last year.
“A National treasure and a hero. RIP.”
Reality star Vicky Pattison paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “Absolutely heartbroken.
“Sir Captain Tom, the hero that we all do desperately needed in our darkest hour has passed away.
“His courage, kindness and positivity not to mention his selflessness will long live on.
“RIP Captain… Heaven just gained a legend.”
Loose Women’s Denise Welch wrote: “Capt Tom. What a legend. What a legacy.”
Last year, Captain Tom recorded a charity single of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball.
It soared to the top of iTunes and helped his pledge to rake in millions for medics fighting on the coronavirus frontline.
Sending condolences, Michael Ball said: “Rest in peace @captaintommoore. A wonderful life so well lived and a hero and fighter to the very end.
“So very very sad. Love and prayers for @hannah-jagoah_I_M and all the family.”
Captain Tom also signed a seven- figure deal to turn his life story into a film — and said he wanted Michael Caine to play him on screen.
And David Beckham presented Captain Tom with a framed footie shirt after he was named honorary England Lionhearts skipper.
ITV viewers were mesmerised by his tales when he appeared on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories.
Piers said it was his “greatest” episode of all time after building a bond with the star thtough speaking on Good Morning Britain.
They swapped numbers and were soon having regular phone chats.
The host described him as a ladies’ man after he jokingly asked for six blondes on his TV rider.
His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore delivered the sad news that he had been admitted to Bedford Hospital on Sunday with breathing difficulties.
Over the past few weeks he had been battling pneumonia and had tested positive for coronavirus.
He was surrounded by family when he died in hospital.
Captain Tom had spent his final Christmas with his loved ones on the paradise Caribbean island of Barbados, which had been on his bucket list.
Announcing his death in a touching statement, his daughters Hannah and Lucy said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.
“We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime.
“We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.
“The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.
“Whilst he’d been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever.”
His grieving daughters praised the “extraordinary” NHS and carers who helped their father in the last weeks and year of his life.
They branded them “unfalteringly professional, kind and compassionate” and thanked them for “giving us many more years with him than we ever would have imagined”.
The statement added: “Over the past few days our father spoke a great deal about the last 12 months and how proud he felt at being able to leave behind the growing legacy of his Foundation.
“We politely ask for privacy at this time so we can grieve quietly as a family and remember the wonderful 100 years our father had.
“Thank you.”
The hero set out to reach £1,000 when he started his fundraising appeal.
During the first UK lockdown from March 23, his aim was to walk 100 laps of the 25-metre (82ft) loop in his garden with the aid of a walking frame in Marston Moretaine, in 10-lap chunks.
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He went on to raise £32,796,355 for NHS charities.
Moore, who rose to the rank of captain while serving in India and Burma during the conflict, was knighted by The Queen for his awe-inspiring fundraising efforts.
In a statement Buckingham Palace said the Queen and the royal family’s thoughts are with Captain Tom’s family and she is sending a private message of condolence.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Captain Tom “became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world” and was a “hero in the truest sense of the word”.