BBC Breakfast star Charlie Stayt announced the tragic d3ath of a Hollywood icon moments into the live show as tributes poured in.

Charlie Stayt shared heartbreaking news on Saturday (January 31) morning (Image: BBC)

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BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt delivered heartbreaking news within moments of Saturday’s (January 31) programme going live.

The broadcaster appeared alongside colleague Naga Munchetty, updating audiences on the latest developments across Britain and beyond. During the morning briefing, Charlie announced the passing of Canadian star Catherine O’Hara.

Addressing the audience, he stated: “Tributes are being paid to the Canada-born actress Catherine O’Hara, best known for her roles in the Home Alone films and the comedy drama Schitt’s Creek, who died at the age of 71.”

He continued: “The Canadian prime minister has said that the country has lost a legend.” Later in the programme, a special segment aired celebrating the actress’s career and achievements.

Catherine passed away on Friday at her Los Angeles residence “following a brief illness”, according to a statement from her representatives at Creative Artists Agency.

Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara had died aged 71 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

She leaves behind husband Bo Welch and sons Matthew and Luke – the family intends to hold a private memorial service, the statement confirmed.

The performer first gained recognition with Toronto’s Second City improvisation ensemble and on SCTV, before achieving widespread acclaim in America through 1988’s Beetlejuice and her unforgettable portrayal of Kate McCallister, Kevin’s mother, opposite Macaulay Culkin in the initial two Home Alone instalments.

In the wake of her passing, numerous colleagues from the entertainment industry have shared heartfelt messages on social media. Macaulay, now 45, posted a touching message to his on-screen mum, accompanied by photographs from the film and more recent times: “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”

Home Alone director Chris Columbus released a statement to THR, saying: “Today we lost Catherine O’Hara. I’m stunned and heartbroken, along with the rest of the world. I was an obsessive fan of Catherine’s brilliant comedic work on SCTV and was thrilled when she agreed to play Kevin’s mom in Home Alone.”

Macaulay shared a heartfelt tribute to his on-screen mother (Image: Getty Images)

“What most people don’t realize is that Catherine carries the weight of 50 percent of that film. The movie simply would not work without her extraordinary performance.”

He continued: “Catherine grounds the picture with a profound emotional depth. I will miss her greatly. Yet there is a small sense of comfort, realizing that two of the finest human beings I’ve ever known, Catherine and John Candy, are together again, brilliantly improvising, making each other laugh.”

Michael Keaton, who starred alongside her in the 1988 Beetlejuice, wrote on Instagram that she had been “my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her.”

Meryl Streep, who shared the screen with O’Hara in the 1986 comedy-drama Heartburn, expressed her admiration for the actress in a statement, saying Catherine “brought love and light to our world, through whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed”.