Charlene White has tearfully opened up about her late friend Darrell on Loose Women, revealing that she powered through with a tribute to him on the show despite straying from the show’s plan.
Charlene’s close friend Darrell died last week after suffering from Sarcoma cancer – a rare type of tumour that develops in bone and connective tissue.
Speaking on Loose Women, Charlene revealed that while she could hear a producer in her ear saying that she wasn’t sticking to the running order, she wanted to send a message to Darrell’s wife before the ad break.
“I know the director is going to go in my ear, ‘This isn’t what we planned, Charlene,’ but I don’t really care,” she admitted.
“What I am going to end on now, and I know Darrell’s wife is watching, I love you lots; I know that we’ll get through this together as a family, as friends, as everything because sometimes friend loss can feel like family.”
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Charlene White tearfully opened up about her friend’s death (Image: ITV)
She then revealed that while heading into the break, the show would play Darrell’s speech when receiving the Inspiration Award at Sarcoma UK’s Shining Star Awards. “He gave an incredible speech where he talked about what is important in the world,” Charlene said. “Going into the break, have a listen to him now.”
Speaking earlier in the programme, Charlene opened up about losing Darrell – who was diagnosed with Sarcoma on his 40th birthday.
“He popped round to my house for his birthday lunch and he told me all about it,” she said. “He fought through it for four and a half years, I’m incredibly proud of him.”
The panellist also broke down in tears when speaking about her friend to an emotional Kelly Brook, who offered her co-star words of comfort.
Charlene White with her late friend Darrell (Image: Instagram)
Last week, Charlene revealed on social media that her heart had “broken into a million pieces” following Darrell’s death.
“There will be many of you who will aware of me talking about one of my oldest and best friends Darrell @djoptic and his mission to beat the enemy which is Sarcoma cancer,” she wrote.
“In the early hours of Saturday morning, four and a half years after he was diagnosed, after a week of saying goodbyes to those he loved, sharing stories and banter, he took his final breath surrounded by his wonderful wife @mrsamymcdonald and children Maya and Theo.”
The TV personality went on to say: “He has been my brother since we met at 16 years old, I was the best man at his wedding, and god-mother to his eldest. The nonsense our little crew would get up to was hilarious back in the day, he was there for every milestone. My heart is broken into a million pieces.”
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.