Eamonn Holmes recalled his final meeting with late singer Sinéad O'Connor as he paid an emotional tribute to the 'beautiful' musician.
Speaking on his breakfast show following news of Sinead's death at 56 on Wednesday, Eamonn referred to her being a "troubled soul" and spoke of the last time they met during Songs of Praise 15 years ago.
He told GB News viewers: "The images on the front of many of the newspapers today show just how beautiful she was. And not just beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside. She was a troubled soul, a very troubled soul…"
Read More : Sinead O'Connor's heartbreaking final post before tragic death at just 56
In a discussion with fellow presenter Ellie Costello, he continued: “Obviously I met her a few times…and ironically the last time I met her I was presenting - people might smile at this if you know her relationship with the Catholic religion, of course she was Islamic at one stage as well.
"But the last time I worked with her on Songs of Praise as it turns out and that was what, maybe 15 years ago or so. You know, she was a square peg in a round hole in the fact that initially with the big breakthrough songs and whatever, she was treated like a pop star. But she wasn't a pop star, she didn't want to be a pop star. She was an artist, she was a musician and had a message to give."
Tributes for the singer have flooded in since news of her death broke yesterday, including from stars around the world including the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Leo said her music "was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched".
Today (27 July) it was confirmed by police that Sinéad O'Connor was found 'unresponsive' at her home. Police were called to Sinead's home in Lambeth, south east London on Wednesday morning following a report of an unresponsive woman at the home, however Sinead was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
The full statement read: "Police were called at 11:18hrs on Wednesday, 26 July to reports of an unresponsive woman at a residential address in the SE24 area. Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the Coroner."
News of her death was reported initially by The Irish Times and has since been confirmed by her family who released a statement to RTE that read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
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