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My Mum, Your Dad viewers struggled to keep it together after single parent Roger opened up on the tragic death of his wife who died from cancer.
Davina McCall made her presenting debut on the brand-new programme which has been dubbed the ‘middle-aged Love Island’ which sees the contestants put their dating hats back on as they’re put forward by their children to try and find new partners.
During Monday’s episode, Roger, 58, who suffered immense heartbreak just 18 months ago when his wife died from melanoma, had his first date with Caroline.
Roger – whose daughter Jess nominated him to be on the show – bravely discussed the difficulties of losing his late wife.
He reduced Caroline to floods of tears as he spoke about how Joanne had breast cancer four years ago, but she recovered until she had a spot behind her ear while they were on holiday.
Roger then shared how one night his wife was incredibly tired and fell asleep on the sofa, and she didn’t really wake up again.
Caroline got emotional after hearing Roger’s story (Picture: ITV)
Roger opened up about his tragic loss (Picture: ITV)
Those watching along at home were also sobbing at his story with many rooting for him to find love.
Another added: ‘Aww Roger…. What a True gent, big heart and the nation loves you. I think we all wanted to jump through the telly and give him a squeeze.’
A viewer agreed: It’s only episode one and I already want nothing but the world for Roger. GIVE THAT MAN A HUG.’
After his wife died, Roger didn’t want to think about dating anyone, emphasising that he ‘didn’t really want to meet anyone’.
‘You don’t expect it to be you and you don’t expect it to be your wife,’ he said during the programme’s launch.
‘But I’m going on the show to get some confidence. I must have subconsciously wanted to meet someone by saying yes to the show.’
‘Fun, loving, conscientious, struggling to get old – I don’t want to get old. With what’s happened to me, I lost my wife, I know that you can get up and life can be over in a split second. People talk about it, but I’ve actually seen it,’ he said.
My Mum, Your Dad returns tomorrow at 9pm on ITV.
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‘What a True gent, big heart,’ one person wrote.