David Walliams has been left “heartbroken” over the death of Dale Winton, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 62.
Taking to Twitter, David simply tweeted the word “heartbroken” after the news of his death broke.
Dale regularly appeared on David and Matt Lucas’ BBC comedy show Come Fly With Me, and the pair were last seen in public together back in July 2016.
Heartbroken. #DaleWinton
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) April 18, 2018
David and Dale had been friends for a long time, and back in June 2016, Dale praised David for helping him to overcome depression.
Speaking on Loose Women, Dale said, “I could have taken myself off the TV but I didn’t. Listen, there are worse things in the world – but I had depression and I didn’t realise.”
“I always thought, ‘get over yourself’. But my mum died of it. It exists and anybody out there who has had it knows it exists. I didn’t want to put one foot in front of the other but for a couple of really good friends. David Walliams is brilliant. He has kept me going.”
David has since shared a number of hilarious stories about Dale on Twitter, but also alluded to the fact that his friend always “found it hard to be happy”.
The legendary Supermarket Sweep presenter died at his home, and his long-term agent Jan Kennedy confirmed the news.
“While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time of grief,” she said.
Since the shocking news of his death broke, many stars and fellow TV presenters have taken to social media to pay tribute to him, including Graham Norton, Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness, and Rylan Clark-Neal.
Dale Winton gave me the best bit of showbiz advice I ever got – Don’t quit the hit! Thank you Dale. X
— graham norton (@grahnort) April 18, 2018
I am so so so sad to hear about Dale Winton ???? a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty ! RIP ????????
— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) April 18, 2018
Dale Winton was a real sweetheart. Lovely man. Sad to hear the news.
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) April 18, 2018
Sad news. Back in the day Supermarket Sweep was the programme to watch. Dale Winton was the perfect host, he made it all look effortless. RIP pic.twitter.com/RW5r3qDs9N
— Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) April 18, 2018
So so sad and shocked about the lovely Dale Winton. God bless ❤
— Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) April 18, 2018
So sad and shocked to hear that Dale Winton has died. He was a lovely,warm man who posed charm. RIP
— Les Dennis (@LesDennis) April 18, 2018
So sad to hear the news Dale Winton has passed away. Thoughts for his family he was a gent to work with. RIP
— James Martin (@jamesmartinchef) April 18, 2018
Desperately sad news about Dale Winton. A really funny and kind person gone too soon, RIP.
— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) April 18, 2018
Dale Winton. Lovely man. Kind & mischievous, generous & a great story teller. Same production crew for In it & Who Dares. We’ll all miss him
— Nick Knowles (@MrNickKnowles) April 18, 2018
Dale made his mark in the entertainment industry in the mid-1990s and early 2000s, while starring on shows like Supermarket Sweep and The National Lottery: In It To Win It.
However, the presenter kept a lower profile in recent years due to several rounds of surgery he had undergone, according to an interview he gave earlier this year.
