Good Morning Britain ground to a halt as Charlotte Hawkins paused the programme to honour a departing colleague.
During Wednesday's (December 24) instalment of the ITV breakfast favourite, Charlotte and co-presenter Ed Balls returned to screens as they delivered the day's major headlines from across Britain and internationally.
Yet the show took a poignant turn as they stopped proceedings to celebrate Richard Gaisford, who revealed back in October that he would be departing the programme after more than 25 years in broadcasting.
The beloved journalist, 53, who began his career as Chief Correspondent on GMTV before moving to GMB in 2014, delivered his final report on the news programme this morning before bidding farewell.
Addressing viewers at home, Charlotte said: "I've just got to take this moment to say goodbye and thank you to Richard Gaisford, who has been with us here on ITV breakfast for 26 years now. He is a much loved member of our team," reports Wales Online.
She added: "He has travelled right around the world for Good Morning Britain. He's been in war zones, he's covered in all sorts of different stories for us over the years.
"He is an exceptional journalist. He is the best and we wish him all the best, Richard, thank you so much. You will be very much missed."
Ed interjected, saying: "And on behalf of the viewers, Richard, thank you for all of that public broadcasting service you've given, finding truth and objectivity and telling all of us what is really going on with that extra special bit of analysis which we've always got from you.
"So as a newbie on the block here, I've learnt a lot from you over the last few years and thank you very, very much."
In an emotional exchange, Richard, broadcasting live from Westminster, appeared via video link and responded: "Thank you both. It has been a privilege. I have had the best job in television news, and I've worked with the most incredible people. I will miss all of you immensely and wish you the best of luck with what happens next year. I'm out there looking for some new adventures."
Charlotte concluded: "Richard, thank you very much. You enjoy those new adventures. We will see you again soon. Thank you. Happy Christmas."
Audiences quickly took to social media to share their thoughts on the presenter's final appearance, with one viewer posting on X: "The only decent journalist on GMB is leaving. Good luck Richard."
Another commented: "Richard Gaisford is a top,top journalist, being everywhere reporting. He was the first journalist to be in Ukraine when the war kicked off although he wasn't in the actual warzone where it was happening but he is a great journalist #gmb."