BBC Breakfast hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent heard the touching story of 94-year-old Raymond Horsely on Tuesday’s show.
BBC Breakfast presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, who was recently overcome with emotion, introduced viewers to 94-year-old Raymond Horsely, with Sally describing him as ‘the most romantic Yorkshireman on earth’.
However, she noted: “When his wife Hazel died, terrible loneliness set in.” BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay explained that Raymond had courageously reached out for support and is now urging others to follow suit.
The segment featured archive photographs of Raymond and Hazel on their wedding day, as BBC reporter Jayne McCubbin spoke with the widower about his enduring 58-year marriage.
Throughout their time together, Raymond had penned countless poems for Hazel, declaring his devotion.
Raymond had written his wife poems throughout their marriage(Image: BBC)READ MORE: BBC Breakfast error sparks backlash as viewers fume ‘Standards have slipped’READ MORE: All Creatures Great and Small confirms return in major series announcement
A voiceover stated: “Every anniversary, every birthday, every Christmas, every occasion. But in 2007, Hazel was diagnosed with cancer, and the writing stopped. In 2009, Raymond wrote this final poem in his book.”
Raymond recited: “After 58 years of marriage, blessed with love and care, replaced with the utter loneliness now you are no longer there.”
During his conversation with Jayne, he revealed: “I said to my wife I love you, three words. But this time, I said a different three words. I said, ‘I need help’.”
Raymond opened up on the loneliness he felt once Hazel died (Image: BBC)
Throughout the interview, Raymond became visibly emotional, his voice breaking as he clutched a tissue. In a separate footage, Raymond was captured donning a festive jumper at an event hosted by Age UK, surrounded by others partaking in a Christmas dinner, reports the Express.
Raymond was spotted mingling with the crowd, pulling Christmas crackers and joining in on the carols.
He remarked: “Going out three times a week to these functions gives me a life that I didn’t have. I can guarantee it’s changed my life. Age UK has never left me, never when I asked for help.”
The 94-year-old praised Age UK for helping him beat loneliness (Image: BBC)
Raymond has now returned to his passion for poetry, sharing his latest piece with Jayne.
He recited: “Lord Jesus, now I am 94, what have you got in store?When I become 95, do you intend to keep me alive?
When I become 96, I think we’ll be in a bit of a fix. “”When I become 97, the finger will point up to heaven.
When I become 100, and this is what I plan, that the lord will come to meet me and take me by the hand, into a promised land. “.
BBC Breakfast can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.
