On ITV show This Morning, host Holly Willoughby broke down as a doctor revealed his heartache over losing his son.
During Tuesday’s (March 16) episode of the daytime programme, presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly spoke to Dr Hugh Montgomery.
They discussed the experiences of ICU staff, ahead of 2020: The Story of Us airing tonight.
What happened on ITV daytime show This Morning?
Phil asked Dr Hugh if he had been struggling and the doctor said everyone’s in the same boat.
“We’ve got to remember, everyone’s had a dreadful time this pandemic,” he said.
At one point in the conversation, Phil asked if Dr Hugh would be watching the documentary film, by director Kevin Macdonald.
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Dr Hugh told them no, he would not be watching it as he would find it too upsetting to sit through.
Daytime host Holly said: “You’ve already lived that nightmare and you don’t want to live it again.”
That prompted Dr Hugh to explain the heartbreaking reason he won’t be tuning in to 2020: The Story of Us.
He said, his voice breaking: “It’s public knowledge that my 17-year-old son died in May… so it’s been a very difficult year for me.
I imagine families who’ve lost loved ones will not be watching either.
“But I guess 120,000 other people have also lost lives, and their families have also struggled, so I’m not alone in this.”
He added: “I imagine families who’ve lost loved ones will not be watching either, for those personal reasons.”
Holly replied, choking up and with tears in her eyes: “I’m so sorry, I really am. Thank you for being here today and thank you for your work throughout this pandemic – for yourselves, for your teams, anyone like you who is risking their lives every day.”
What is 2020: The Story of Us on ITV about?
ITV’s description of the programme reads: “This landmark feature-length documentary by Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald tells the story of Coronavirus in Britain through the experience of people immersed in its impact, both personally and professionally.”
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The documentary makers had extensive access to ICUs (intensive care units) around the country, including London’s Whittington Hospital and Lancashire’s Royal Preston Hospital.
It starts before the pandemic turned into a global emergency and covers events through full lockdown and beyond, offering testimony from hospital workers and patients to paint a picture of the working lives of ICU staff and the people they treat.
– 2020: The Story of Us airs at 9pm on ITV tonight (Tuesday, March 16)
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