Emotional Andrew Neil battled back tears today thanking This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ahead of the launch of his GB News channel.
The veteran journalist, 72, was bidding farewell to the daytime show before the start of his new endeavour.
While he has a reputation as a fearless interrogator of politicians, he showed his softer side as his voice cracked with emotion at points.
He has appeared on This Morning regularly to contribute to the magazine programme’s topical new round-ups and debates.
But today as the section ended he said: ‘Listen, I wanted to come on today to thank you.’
Holly told him ‘Aw, well thank you! It’s been wonderful having you here this year!’ before Phillip quizzed ‘What are you thanking us for?’.
Andrew, who hinted Piers Morgan was in discussions to join him, was visibly emotional and his voice wavered as he told them ‘For being so kind, wonderful’.
As Phillip wished him the best of luck, Holly joked ‘Thank you, hope it goes well, thank you, you are soft sometimes’.
Phillip wished him the best of luck, Holly joked ‘Thank you, you are soft sometimes’
He showed his softer side as he bid farewell to This Morning and Holly and Phillip earlier today
GB News will launch at 8pm on June 13 with a special programme, it has been confirmed.
The new channel, of which Andrew is the chairman, will kick off with a show called Welcome To GB News.
It was previously announced that former Daily Politics presenter Neil will lead the channel’s evening line-up with a prime-time news and interview programme.
Other high-profile signings to the news network include ex-BBC presenter Simon McCoy, the MailOnline’s Dan Wootton and ex-Sky broadcaster Colin Brazier.
A morning show called The Great British Breakfast will feature a selection of hosts including former Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, Darren McCaffrey and Rosie Wright, who will all work across other programmes and stories.
Businesswoman and former Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry will host Dewbs & Co every weeknight.
Wootton, known for his role in breaking the story of Megxit, will present Tonight Live With Dan Wootton five nights a week, while broadcaster Nana Akua will host Tonight Live With Nana Akua.
Broadcaster and author Neil Oliver, known for programmes including Coast and A History Of Ancient Britain, will host Neil Oliver Live.
The new channel, chaired by veteran political interviewer Neil, will kick off with a show called Welcome To GB News (pictured: tweet from news network confirming the launch date)
Other high-profile signings to the news network include ex-BBC presenter Simon McCoy (pictured right) and the MailOnline’s Dan Wootton (left, in August 2018)
Former ITV presenter Alastair Stewart (pictured above) will anchor Alastair Stewart And Friends, featuring conversation and analysis of current affairs
And Andrew Doyle will host Free Speech Nation, described by the channel as ‘a fearless filleting of the country’s thorniest debates’.
Former ITV presenter Alastair Stewart will anchor Alastair Stewart And Friends, featuring conversation and analysis of current affairs.
Brazier and social commentator Mercy Muroki will host a joint show, as will former Labour MP Gloria De Piero and economist Liam Halligan.
McCoy and Alex Phillips will also co-host an afternoon programme.
News UK owner Rupert Murdoch had plans last year to launch a channel of his own, which would have been of similar content as a challenger to the left-leaning news coverage offered by the BBC, but has since decided it was not ‘commercially viable’.
The channel will have an on-demand streaming service available on Sky, Virgin Media, Youview and Freesat and will air on Freeview channel 236.