THE TV and radio presenter, Gloria Hunniford, presented a new television programme on BBC Northern Ireland last night, unaware that her ex husband had just died.
Her family decided she should not be told before the live show Something for the Weekend, that TV director, Mr Don Keating, the father of her three children, had died suddenly, said the BBC.
A spokesman said Ms Hunniford was informed by family members about the death minutes after going off air in Belfast.
Mr Pat Loughrey, the controller of BBC Northern Ireland, expressed the corporations deepest sympathy to Ms Hunniford and her children, Caron, Paul and Michael.
"During his career with the BBC, Don Keating was a distinguished TV director and was responsible for programmes like Scene Around Six during some of the most difficult times in Northern Ireland.
"He was never anything other than a true professional and a gentleman."