Gyles Brandreth broke down in tears live on This Morning as he shared a devastating family bereavement on Friday’s instalment of the ITV show.
The 77-year-old and presenter Rachel Johnson, 51, appeared on the sofa to chat to hosts Emma Willis, 49, and Craig Doyle, 54, about VJ Day.
The annual celebration is on August 15 and marks the end of WWII.
Viewers sent in pictures of their loved ones that were involved , to which Gyles said: ‘Whenever we talk about the war, I think of my own parents.
‘My father was in the army for six years during the second World War, in intelligence – rarely talked about it.’
They then shared a snap of his beloved dad which made him well up.
Gyles Brandreth broke down in tears live on This Morning as he shared a devastating family bereavement on Friday’s instalment of the ITV show
Viewers sent in pictures of their loved ones that were involved, to which Gyles said: ‘Whenever we talk about the war, I think of my own parents. My father (pictured) was in the army for 60 years during the second World War, in intelligence – rarely talked about it’
Emma got up from her seat and rushed to the coffee table to hand Gyles a tissue (pictured)
‘There he is bless him,’ Gyles said.
As his voice broke, he continued: ‘That’s rather touching.’
He then turned to Rachel and added: ‘And your grandparents.’
Rachel put her arm around his shoulder and as Gyles fought back the tears, he said: ‘They were the good people! Really good people.
‘And interestingly, very interestingly, rarely talked about it. Just got on with it.’
Emma got up from her seat and rushed to the coffee table to hand Gyles a tissue.
Gyles went on to explain: ‘My father-in-law was in the RAF seeing the flights going over there and there were millions of people on all sides, of course, we were defeating an enemy for freedom.
‘It was a necessary war, it had a horrific ending because of the atomic bomb falling.
Rachel put her arm around his shoulder and as Gyles fought back the tears, he said: ‘They were the good people! Really good people’
‘But you’ve got to remember it’s individuals.
‘And when you see the wars today, in Europe, and in the Middle East, it’s actually individuals on the front line on all sides.
‘It is alarming, but well done to people like my dad and my father-in-law.’
Gyles wasn’t the only person who got emotional during Friday’s morning television.
Robert Rinder fought back tears during Friday’s instalment of the ITV show.
He was visibly emotional after the programme shared footage of the military pipers marking the start of the commemoration.
Robert said: ‘That sound is so profoundly evocative of what freedom means to reflect on today.
‘To celebrate, commemorate and above all else, don’t you think to remember and commemorate the sacrifice of those who died so all of us could be free.’
Others rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how much they enjoyed him being on their screen.
‘I do like when it’s Rob Rinder on a Friday #gmb.’
‘@GMB what a treat to switch on this morning and see [Rob] Rinder!! someone who can actually discuss topics with guests who actually has intelligence.’
‘Robert Rinder and Charlotte Hawkins be your main pressenters.’
‘Petition to keep Rob Rinder as the main anchor during the week. Big brain, asks the right questions. open your cheque book #gmb.’
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1 from 10am and is available to stream on ITVX.
