Tommy Cannon broke down in tears as he remembered his comedy partner Bobby Ball during an interview on This Morning on Friday. 

Bobby – who was best known as one half of duo Cannon & Ball, alongside Tommy – died in a Blackpool hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 76, after contracting Covid-19.

Appearing on the ITV daytime show to pay tribute to his late friend, Tommy became emotional as he admitted he is having a difficult time processing Bobby’s death.

“It’s a very sad time,” he told hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes. “At this moment in time, I don’t know where I am. I can’t believe he’s passed away.

“I can’t make any sense of it yet, I really can’t.

“I miss him terribly, I loved him to bits. We had a great career, with great memories to look back on… and I know one day I’ll meet him again.”

Tommy revealed he “didn’t really know” Bobby had been so ill, explaining he thought his friend had been getting better after being admitted to hospital last week. 

“We last worked on the ninth of this month and he seemed OK and I didn’t know anything was wrong really,” he explained. “Then on Saturday he was taken into hospital and that’s where he stayed… we were told he was stable, or he was getting a little better, and I don’t know, suddenly he just passed away.

“I got a phone call from his lovely wife and that was it. It was so quick, but like I say, now he’s at rest. God love him.

“He’ll be up there with all his pals, Eddie Large and Eric Sykes and Bernard Manning and all the greats and he’ll be up there with them shining like a light.”

When asked if he feels like a part of him has gone as well, Tommy agreed saying: “Oh yeah, a big chunk. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. I don’t.

“It’s an empty feeling that after nearly 58 years working together starting in the pubs and working men’s clubs – it took 15 years before we got on to TV.”

This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.