Ex-This Morning star Matt Johnson's grandmother dead
Former This Morning star Matt Johnson's grandmother has died.
Former This Morning star Matt Johnson's grandmother has died.
The 43-year-old presenter's "dearest friend" Olive passed away on July 30, with him and her son, Gary, by her side.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday (09.08.26), Matt posted sweet shots of his grandmother over the years, alongside a heartfelt tribute, which read: "It is with the most profound sadness to share that my love, Olive, passed away on July 30th.
"I know so many of you will know just how close we were, and how enormous a part of my life she has always been.
"For the short time that she was in hospital, she was surrounded by her family, sharing stories, laughing, crying, playing her favourite songs and surrounding her with love.
"Olive passed away peacefully with me and her son Gary by her side.
"She left this world completely surrounded by love, as was her right. Because really, all we were doing was giving back a tiny bit of the extraordinary amount of love she gave to all of us throughout her life."
The broadcaster then thanked Olive for the happiness she brought to his life.
Matt continued: "I haven’t just lost my grandmother. I’ve lost one of my dearest friends. Someone who supported me for as long as I can remember. My drinking buddy. My holiday pal. My confidante.
"A woman who taught me so much about the joy of being alive and gave me enough stories to happily bore anyone who will listen for the rest of mine.
"I’ll say a lot more about Olive on here, (probably a lot more.) As you know, sharing stories is very much how I process grief.
"And I’m actually looking forward to telling you more about her, because she deserves to be known and remembered."
Matt - whose dog, pug Alan Shearer, died last year - concluded: "But for now… Nos da, Olive. Rest well.
"Give my love to Paul and Alan Shearer, I imagine you’re having the BIGGEST party up there with all your family and all those wonderful dogs that you loved so much. So “rest” is probably the wrong word.
"I’ll miss you forever, my love. Caru ti.
"Your Matt xx (sic)."
His fans expressed their condolences in the post's comments section, as one penned: "I'm so sorry, Matt. This is so beautifully put. Losing grandparents is so heart wrenchingly sad.
"I'm glad you got to experience so many happy memories. Please do share them xx (sic)."
A second supporter typed: "She looks like the best nana you could wish for x (sic)."
And a third follower wrote: "I’m so sorry. Rest in Peace, Precious Olive. You will be remembered fondly for the profound inspiration and encouragement you always gave. (sic)"
In May, Matt said the death of his dog, given to him by his former housemate Paul Darling, was "unique and profound".
He told BBC Radio Wales: "Alan was like a little guardian angel, he gave me purpose when I felt blue. I have depression, I've lived with that all my life. He was incredible for when I was down.
"It's very, very, very difficult to lose a pet.
"That's been a big learning curve for me because the joy of having Alan, this unconditional love, this wonderful co-dependent relationship that we had came to an end.
"And now I have all this love to give - and it has to go somewhere.
"And, as they say, grief is love that has nowhere to go.
"But I had to put that into myself. And he showed me in the most remarkable way how to love myself."
