Good Morning Britain halted for heartbreaking d3ath announcement just minutes into show

The Good Morning Britain star shared the sad update with viewers.

Ed Balls and Susanna Reid announced a sad d3ath on Good Morning Britain (Image: ITV)

Tributes have flooded in following the announcement of a d3ath on Good Morning Britain. Presenters Ed Balls and Susanna Reid fronted Monday’s (January 26) edition of the ITV programme, delivering the latest news from across the UK and around the world. The pair were joined by Kate Garraway, who shared the rest of the day’s news with viewers.

During the programme, Kate shared the sad news that Donald Butt, one of Britain’s last surviving D-day veterans, has died at the age of 100. Butt, the most recent recipient of the Legion d’honneur – the nation’s highest military honor – passed away on 21 January surrounded by his loved ones. He received the medal in his care home in Somerset just days before his d3ath, revealing the honour “completes his life”.

Veteran war hero Donald Butt has died aged 100 (Image: ITV)

The war veteran was sadly too unwell to appear on Good Morning Britain after being presented with the honour, but his longtime friend told the programme what the medal truly meant for him.

John Rawlinson, who campaigned for Butt to receive the honour, said: “We were able to take some serving royal marines, some guys came off leave and we had a wonderful moment actually presenting him the medal. It’s fair to say he was overwhelmed and delighted.”

Butt was just 17-years-old when he joined the marines in 1943 and was part of the landing crew in the first wave at Normandy’s Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.

“I went in as a boy and came out as a man. It made me,” Butt previously said, adding that he remembered his time with the marines fondly. “The marines taught me everything I know, my way of living. Everything has to be perfect.”

Butt was 17 when he joined the marines in 1943 (Image: ITV)

The Royal Marine went on to have four children, eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Butt’s daughter, Karen Cetin, told the programme: “Dad always said he had a happy life… Things are in place to honour dad in Normandy in June this year and we hope he will be remembered as a humble, funny, thoughtful man.”

Paying tribute to the war hero, one person wrote: “This is so very sad, God Bless Him. I am so glad he got his award which he should have got years ago along with our other D-Day heroes, God bless you and your family. Thank you for everything Mr Butt.”

Another said: “Very sorry to hear of the loss of this very brave hero. Thank you for your service sir. I’m really curious why he wasn’t knighted for his service and bravery of what he did for our freedom, but at least he got that medal he was promised years ago. RIP sir.”

A third echoed: “God bless you Sir & thank you for your service to this country & the generations that followed. Let’s just remember this man & others who gave their all for this country are those that this govt took the war away from.”