KATE Garraway and Ben Shephard paid a heartbreaking tribute to beloved Good Morning Britain guest Isla Caton today after her tragic death from cancer.
The presenters choked up as they revealed the inspiring West Ham fan’s parents had announced the seven year old’s death on Twitter.
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Dad of two boys Ben, 47, opened Good Morning Britain with the news of her passing.
He said: “We are going to start with some sad news, though many of our viewers I’m sure will remember our guest seven year old Isla.
“Very sadly Isla’s family posted this tweet on Tuesday.”
Kate, 54, read out the statement, which said: “It is with the heaviest of broken hearts that we must announce Isla gained her angel wings. It was very peaceful and surrounded by the continued love of Nicola, Michael, and Millie.”
She added: “Very sad but wonderful for her and her family that she got to see some of that love.”
Ben’s voice shook, as he read a tribute from West Ham legend Mark Noble, which said: “I was first introduced to Isla when I carried her out as a mascot in Bournemouth in 2018, it was very clear she was a very special girl.
“She will never be forgotten, she will be part of the West Ham family forever. Rest In Peace, little Isla.”
The presenter added: “And we share those sentiments from Mark to Isla and her family.”
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Isla, from Essex, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, high-risk neuroblastoma, when she was just two years old.
Isla had been bravely battling neuroblastoma for almost five years.
It is an aggressive form of childhood cancer – the same condition young Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery suffered with.
Isla’s super-mum Nikki fronted the family’s fundraising campaign since her daughter’s diagnosis.
They have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to fund treatment and trials in the UK, Barcelona and America – and even united fans of fierce rivals West Ham and Millwall.
People up and down the country had thrown their support behind her in her fight and she had appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier this month.
There will be tributes to Isla at the first West Ham home game on February 8th against Watford.
GMB viewers were left reaching for the tissues this morning, as one said: “RIP Isla… nobody should have to suffer from cancer. Especially such a lovely child.”
One more said: “@islasfight My thoughts & condolences are with you all ❤️ Rest in peace brave and inspirational Isla!”
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Five-year-old cancer victim Isla Caton is winning her battle against the disease
