ITV News' Geraint Vincent fights back tears in Emily Morgan tribute

Moment ITV News anchor Geraint Vincent fights back tears during emotional tribute to late colleague Emily Morgan after she died aged 45 following lung cancer battle

• Ms Morgan, the health and science editor, had worked at ITV News for 23 years 
• She has been described as a ‘trailblazer’,’devoted mum’ and ‘fearless journalist’ 

This is the moment ITV News anchor Geraint Vincent fought back tears during an emotional tribute to his late colleague Emily Morgan after she died aged 45 following a short battle with lung cancer. 

Ms Morgan worked as a journalist at ITV News for 23 years, and colleagues have described her as a ‘true trailblazer’, a ‘fearless journalist’ and ‘a devoted mum’.

During his broadcasted tribute, Mr Vincent said: ‘Now, We regularly report upsetting events that affects people’s lives. Tonight we have something to report that has affected all of us at ITV news very deeply.

‘It is the death after a short illness of our on-screen colleague and much-loved friend Emily Morgan, our much loved health and science editor.’

He added: ‘Emily worked here for 23 years first behind the scenes as a producer, but for most of that time lighting up our programmes every day as a political and then health reporter.

This is the moment ITV News anchor Geraint Vincent fought back tears during an emotional tribute to his late colleague Emily Morgan after she died aged 45 following a short battle with lung cancer

Emily Morgan worked as a journalist at ITV News for 23 years, and colleagues have described her as a ‘true trailblazer’, a ‘fearless journalist’ and ‘a devoted mum’

‘At 45 years old, she was at the very top of her game as anyone who followed her peerless reporting of the covid pandemic will remember well.

‘But she was also, as she wanted the world to know, a mum to her two cherished daughters, a wife, a sister and a daughter herself and it is with all of her family that our thoughts are with tonight.’

Tributes also poured in on social media, with ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham tweeting: ‘The most brilliant, beautiful woman inside and out.

‘A devoted Mum. A wonderful, fearless journalist and a dear colleague who lived her life with radiating joy and to the full. Thinking of all her family especially and all those closest to her.’

Chris Ship, royal editor for ITV News, said his colleague and friend had been ‘full of humanity’.

READ MORE: ‘Incredibly talented’ ITV News journalist Emily Morgan who reported from Covid frontline dies aged 45 after battle with lung cancer, broadcaster announces 

‘She was such a beautiful person and a dear friend,’ he said. ‘As Health Editor, Emily was fearless in reporting Covid to the nation in 2020.

He added: ‘Talented, kind, full of humanity. She was 45.’

Reporting from behind the healthcare frontline, her work was described as ‘instrumental’ in exposing the pressure NHS workers were under. 

Her reports aired as recently as March 30, where she met with desperate patients on NHS waiting lists jetting to Lithuania for surgery.

In the weeks before, she spent 48 hours with paramedics after the worst winter on record and spoke to patients amid the social care crisis, where patients remained in hospital beds for weeks as they waited for councils to arrange care packages for them.

BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani, who used to work for ITV News, called her a ‘first class journalist’.

ITN – who she worked for for 23 years – revealed she passed away after a short battle with lung cancer. Pictured: Emily Morgan interviewing former Prime Minister Theresa May

Described as ‘incredibly talented’, Emily Morgan, 45, played a critical role in the network’s coverage of the Covid pandemic

He tweeted: ‘Brilliant. Talented. Intelligent. Dedicated. Fearless.

‘Emily Morgan will always remain in the hearts of all those lucky enough to have worked with her.

‘A first class journalist who will be missed by her family and many friends.’

ITN announced her death on Twitter and said it is ‘devastated’.

‘Emily was a hugely talented journalist and a much-loved friend and mentor to so many here,’ ITN continued.

‘She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Emily’s family.’

Others also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Ms Morgan, including Health Secretary Steve Barclay and many of her colleagues.

The politician tweeted: ‘Her exemplary reporting throughout the Covid pandemic was a vital public service – helping to keep people safe.’

Sources at the Royal College of Nursing – who represent nursing staff throughout the country – also told MailOnline: ‘This is deeply saddening news. 

‘One of the finest journalists in our field and she will be sorely missed.’

Piers Morgan wrote: ‘What shocking and incredibly sad news. Emily was a brilliant journalist whose work during the Covid pandemic was particularly outstanding. RIP.’

Andrew Dagnell, editor at ITV Network News, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of our remarkable colleague, Emily Morgan.

Tributes also poured in on social media, with ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham tweeting: ‘The most brilliant, beautiful woman inside and out’

‘Emily was not only an incredibly talented journalist, but a much-loved member of the ITV Newsroom and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.’

He said Ms Morgan played a ‘pivotal role’ in shaping ITV coverage through some of the ‘most important stories of our time’.

He referenced her ‘courageous’ reporting through the Covid-19 pandemic, during which she visited hospitals and healthcare workers on the the front lines to share their stories.

‘Her reporting was instrumental in exposing the immense pressure and strain that NHS workers were under, and she became a trusted voice for the public during an unprecedented time,’ Mr Dagnell said.

‘Emily’s passion for the role was evident in everything she did and her work was a constant reminder of why journalism matters.

‘Her dedication to informing and educating our viewers will continue to inspire all those who were privileged to work alongside her.’

He said Ms Morgan was ‘proud’ to be a journalist but even more proud of her family, whom she ‘adored’.

‘We are sending them our love and support at this unthinkably difficult time,’ Mr Dagnell added.

‘Emily was an exceptional journalist, a devoted mother and wife and a true trailblazer in our field.

‘Her friendship, her professionalism and her enormous contribution to our industry and to the public conversation will not be forgotten.’

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