Fans and colleagues of This Morning contributor Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek have been left heartbroken after he and his husband, Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, were confirmed to have died in the recent Air India plane crash. The tragic news was confirmed through a statement from their family.
The couple were among 241 people who lost their lives when the London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India.
The aircraft reportedly lost altitude moments after take-off, crashing into a doctor’s hostel and killing 28 people on the ground, bringing the total death toll to 270.
Incredibly, just one person is believed to have survived the devastating crash.
On Tuesday’s episode of This Morning, presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley opened the show with an emotional tribute to Fiongal and Jamie, who had appeared on the ITV daytime programme earlier this year to discuss their wellness business.
“We’d like to start by taking a moment to send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Jamie and Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek who tragically lost their lives in the Air India crash on Thursday,” Deeley began.
Shephard revealed that the family of the pair had asked him to read a statement on their behalf.
Reading the family’s statement live on air, Shephard said: “It is with profound sadness and unimaginable heartbreak that we confirm both Jamie and Fiongal were passengers on the Air India flight that has tragically crashed in India.
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“They were a bright light in so many of our lives, deeply loved as sons, brothers and friends. Their warmth, kindness, humour and generous spirits touched everyone who knew them.
“We are all beyond devastated by the news and are struggling to come to terms with the potential of a life without them.
“They would want us to spread positive energy to the world and especially at this time. May peace and love prevail—where there is darkness, spread light, love and laughter.”
Both presenters reflected on their personal experiences with the couple. “We were lucky enough to spend some time with both of them,” Shephard recalled. “Fiongal on the show, of course, and Jamie behind the scenes.”
Deeley added: “Yeah, just absolutely charming gentlemen who were so positive. I’ve still got my Palo Santo that he gave me, and rosemary that I burn.”
Fiongal, 39, and Jamie, 45, had been in India for a 10-day wellness retreat. It was their first trip to the country as a married couple, having tied the knot in 2022.
They lived together in Ramsgate, Kent, and ran their wellness business, the Wellness Foundry, in London.
A haunting video posted shortly before the crash shows the couple smiling and joking at Ahmedabad airport.
In the clip, Fiongal says: “We are at the airport, just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway, Jamie?”
Jamie replies: “I don’t know,” prompting laughter from Fiongal, who teases: “Thanks for your contribution.”
The video ends with Fiongal joking about staying calm and not losing patience, unaware that it would be their final moment together.
Friday’s This Morning broadcast also paid tribute, with Dermot O’Leary saying: “Sadly, one of those believed to have lost his life is Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek.”
Alison Hammond added: “Of the 242 people on board, 241 lost their lives, including 52 from the UK, making it the worst aviation disaster involving British nationals since 9/11.”
Former This Morning editor Martin Frizell paid tribute on Instagram, sharing a photo of Fiongal with Ben and Cat. “So, so sad… His vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over,” he wrote. “He had a great future ahead of him.”
