ITV's This Morning began its Friday broadcast on a sombre note, with presenters Dermot O'Leary and Rochelle Humes paying an emotional on-air tribute to the late weather presenter Dave King.
A Beloved Family Member
Opening the news segment, Dermot O'Leary immediately addressed the sad news. He confirmed that Dave King, a cherished member of the programme for nearly a decade, had passed away the previous Friday at the age of 85. O'Leary remembered him as a 'wonderful weather guru' known for his 'incredible weather predictions' and his 'warm and friendly demeanour.'
The show sent its love to his family, specifically mentioning his son Trevor and daughter-in-law Sonia. It was noted that Dave was famous for his 90% accuracy rate in forecasting the weather, a remarkable feat given his unconventional methods.
Remembering a Unique Character
Contributor Gyles Brandreth shared his memories of the late presenter, recalling him as a 'lovely guy' and a 'great character.' He highlighted Dave's unique approach to meteorology, explaining that he was not a trained forecaster. Instead, he looked to nature for his predictions, observing birds and the behaviour of trees and plants rather than relying on modern technology.
'He had an instinct for it,' Brandreth said, 'and a lovely way of telling us all about it.' Co-host Rochelle Humes added her own fond memories, stating, 'He was so funny, he'll be really, really missed. He was everyone's friend.'
Viewer Reaction and Memorable Moments
The tribute resonated deeply with the audience at home. One viewer quickly took to social media to post, 'Aw, that is sad news, RIP Dave,' while another simply wrote, 'Rest in peace, Dave King.'
The segment also prompted recollections of Dave's more spirited moments on the show. In an appearance last year, he had a memorable on-air clash with host Ben Shephard. The tension began after Dave cut across the presenter to promote his own website, prompting Ben to reply, 'Well done, good plug,' which made Cat Deeley laugh.
The exchange escalated when Ben asked if it was going to be 'hotter than Turkey?' Dave retorted, 'What part of Turkey? They've got mountains in Turkey, what a silly statement!' Ben firmly corrected him, clarifying, 'It was a question, it wasn't a statement, it was a question, Dave, for you to answer.' The moment left viewers amused and highlighted Dave's distinctive and uncompromising personality.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
