POP legend Chesney Hawkes was seen choking back the tears live on Radio 2, as he paid tribute to his friend who died just two weeks ago.
The iconic singer, 53, welled up as he dedicated a song to the life of his best pal Vic Irvine who was laid to rest earlier this month.
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Vic was Chesney’s childhood pal and diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021.
Sadly, he lost his battle with the disease earlier this month, leaving his friend devastated.
The singer – who shot to fame with his 1991 hit The One And Only – looked in bits as he struggled to start his performance.
With tears in his eyes, and his voice starting to crack, Chesney said: “I literally just lost my best friend a couple of weeks ago.
“And so I’m here, you know, promoting this song about loss, just as I’m, thinking about Vic.
“You know, so it’s tough to sometimes perform because of that, you know?”
Chesney was told by host Vernon Kay to “take his time”, as he gathered his thoughts.
The emotional star then sang a powerful performance of his song Loud, which was written for Vic.
The moving clip of Chesney was posted on Radio 2’s Instagram, with fans immediately flocking to comment on how they too had been moved to tears.
One wrote: “sending so much love Chesney, such a touching performance, I can’t stop crying.”
Chesney Hawkes breaks down in tears over loss of best mate live on GMB – as he reveals sweet nickname for late pal
Another commented: “What a beautiful song. I am so sorry for your loss, what a lovely tribute to Vic.”
This one said: “Genuinely sorry for your loss. But my God to carry on and perform and sing must have been so difficult to execute physically.
“A fitting tribute to your friend.”
LIFE LONG FRIENDS
Chesney and Vic were friends long before the singer became famous.
Vic revealed shortly before his death how his friend’s new music had been keeping him going amid his stage 4 cancer battle.
Talking to BBC Radio Solent Dorset Breakfast show host Steve Harris, Vic said in December: “We go back to before he was famous. It’s been a ride, it really has.
“We’ve had some good times, some not so good, but it’s been brilliant.”
Talking of the impact of the track, he said: “Ches doing this, that’s the things that keep me going.
“It’s an outrageous life I lead, to be totally honest with you.”
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PAYING TRIBUTE
Earlier this month, Chesney revealed his friend had died.
During a chat with Good Morning Britain anchors Susanna Reid and Ed Balls he talked about his song Live Forever being about Vic.
As he became overwhelmed with emotion and took a pause, Susanna said: “Oh it’s so hard.
“I am so sorry Chesney.”
He continued: “It’s odd that I’m talking about a song about loss right now at this particular moment in time but you know,” before wiping his eyes.
“But he loved the song, he did, he loved it.
“He told me it was the way he was going to keep a connection with his loved ones.
“That’s what it’s about basically.”
Later in the chat, Chesney revealed the pair’s sweet nicknames for each other.
He said: “We used to call each other TC – trusty companions.
“We had such an unbreakable bond.”
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