Charlie Watkins, who was on Saturday's episode, passed away in March
Though Take Me Out is often one of the funniest and most lighthearted programmes on TV, the most recent episode took on a more sombre tone than usual, as it paid tribute to a contestant who has died since filming the episode.
Charlie Watkins was one of the men to come down the ‘love lift’ in Saturday’s edition (22nd April) of the show, in hopes of scoring a date to take to the island paradise of Fernandos.
However, the university student sadly lost his life in March 2017 at age 22 – and show host Paddy McGuinness wrote a message in tribute to him.
More: 7 thing you NEED to know about Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness
Read: All the Latest Celebrity News
Taking to Twitter before the programme was broadcast, Paddy informed fans and viewers of the show that Charlie had died, and dedicated the episode to him:
Tonight’s Take Me Out is in memory of Charlie. A fantastic lad who I’m sure will be greatly missed by his wonderful friends & family. RIP
Tonight's Take Me Out is in memory of Charlie. A fantastic lad who I'm sure will be greatly missed by his wonderful friends & family. RIP pic.twitter.com/JPSPWMOfEX
— Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) April 22, 2017
The tweet garnered many messages of condolence toCharlie’s family and friends, and was retweeted by host of sister show Take Me Out: The Gossip, Mark Wright.
A spokesperson from production company Thames said: ‘It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the tragic news regarding Charlie. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family and friends. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time.’
Take Me Out contestant Charlie chose Jo-Tara as his date (ITV)
The episode showed Charlie putting himself forward as an eligible bachelor for the thirty single ladies, before he eventually selected Jo-Tara as his date.
His tragic death announcement in The Telegraph reads: ‘Charlie beloved son to Tim and the late Sarah Watkins and twin brother to Harry, tragically taken from us on Monday 13 March.’
Though the cause of his death is not public knowledge, the amount of online tributes alone make it clear that he is greatly missed. Now sends its sympathies to Charlie’s loved ones.
The post Paddy McGuinness pays tribute to late Take Me Out contestant who died since filming appeared first on CelebsNow.