This Morning viewers were left in tears after watching an emotional segment with two grieving children as they paid tribute to their veteran dad.
In honour of Remembrance Day on Sunday (9 November), Lennon and Ruby appeared on the show to pay tribute to their dad Mark Palin, who ‘paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country’ and lost his life in Afghanistan while serving as an army corporal.
Tragically, this took place before Ruby, now 14, was even born, and when her older brother, Lennon, 15, was just a baby, so the pair never got to know their father.
Introducing the teenagers, presenter Ben Shephard said: ‘Over the weekend, they took part in the Festival of Remembrance, where they paid tribute to their dad and other servicemen and women by carrying the Book of Remembrance during the ceremony.’
Cat Deeley, co-presenting, added: ‘What an absolutely beautiful ceremony, and what an amazing tribute. It was so moving for you guys to do that. How did it feel?’
Lennon proudly said: ‘It was a massive honour to carry a bit of our history, and it was a great honour to be a part of that.’
This Morning viewers were left in tears after watching an emotional segment with two grieving children – teenagers Lennon and Ruby – as they paid tribute to their veteran dad
Mark Palin lost his life at the age of just 33 while serving in Afghanistan when his son Lennon was just a baby and before his daughter Ruby was born
The teenagers’ mum, Carla, said: ‘I was so proud of them, so proud. I cried all weekend. Didn’t stop crying.
‘It was just amazing to see them do that, it was the biggest thing they could do to honour their dad and everybody that’s paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country.’
Carla went on to describe some fond memories of her late husband, who lost his life when he was just 33 years old in 2011.
She said: ‘He was funny, he was a Tottenham fan, he was a family man.
‘He loved his family – his dad, his sister, his brother, his mum, his whole entire family, his friends. He was just an amazing man.’
To gain a greater understanding of their dad’s life, Lennon and Ruby visited the barracks where he lived during his time in the army.
Lennon said: ‘It was important to me to have an understanding of what it was like, the environment he had, and where it was, and the way it worked for a massive part of his life.
‘I definitely felt like there was a feel around the camp, and we walked around taking in what was his home for a while.’
Viewers of This Morning went on to share their thoughts about the segment on Twitter/X, with some admitting that the children’s tribute to their late father made them tear up too
Viewers of This Morning went on to share their thoughts about the emotional segment on Twitter/X, with some admitting that it made them tear up too.
They wrote: ‘Aw, this is making me cry.’;
‘Watched their story on Sat night in the Remembrance Service – so incredibly moving. Certainly did their dad proud.’;
‘That chap kept making me cry whenever he got tearful when I watched the Festival of Remembrance.’ ;
‘What a heartbreaking story.’;
‘The story of these kids, Scotty’s little ones and the families, stands as a testament to the family servicemen and we veterans form to support each other. An example to the whole of society as to how it could work for all.’
The emotional segment comes after a Good Morning Britain star who sparked outrage last week for failing to wear a poppy on the ITV show left viewers delighted when he finally opted to wear one – but his decision was overshadowed by a scathing on-screen swipe.
Kevin McGuire was seen wearing a poppy on Monday morning’s GMB – and while some were relieved to see the change, the decision was overshadowed by a scathing swipe from host Richard Madeley
Last week, Kevin Maguire (right) joined the Daily Mail’s Andrew Pierce (left), Susanna Reid and Ed Balls to discuss the latest news and was shown without a poppy
Kevin Maguire joined Susanna Reid and Ed Balls last Tuesday and while Susanna, 54, Ed, 58, and the Daily Mail’s Andrew Pierce had all pinned poppies to their outfit, Kevin, 65, was shown without one.
It sparked outrage with viewers of the show, who hit out it was ‘disgraceful’ and ‘disrespectful’ that he’d opted not to wear one in the days running up to Remembrance Sunday on November 9, and Remembrance Day on November 11.
The Poppy Appeal, which launched on October 23 this year, has seen the majority of presenters appearing on television to wear poppies as a mark of respect.
Reappearing alongside hosts Susanna and Richard Madeley on the show on Monday, Kevin was finally seen wearing a poppy – leaving ITV viewers divided.
While some were relieved to see the journalist, who took to the show to discuss the latest headlines, finally don the poppy, others felt it was too little too late.
One viewer celebrated on X, formerly Twitter: ‘At last,’ as a second penned: ‘Seeing Maguire is wearing a poppy…’
This Morning continues on weekdays at 10am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
