Dec Donnelly mourns childhood hero Kevin Keegan

Declan Donnelly, a prominent TV presenter and lifelong Newcastle United fan, has shared an emotional tribute to football legend Kevin Keegan. Keegan, a revered figure for the club as both a player and manager, passed away on July 20 at the age of 75, following a battle with stage four cancer. Donnelly and his long-time presenting partner, Anthony McPartlin, dedicated an episode of their podcast, "Hanging Out With Ant And Dec," to honour Keegan.

Donnelly, who hails from Newcastle upon Tyne, spoke movingly about Keegan's significance, calling him his "childhood hero." He explained that Keegan's signing for Newcastle United in 1982 ignited his passion for the sport and the club. Donnelly emphasized that Keegan's impact extended far beyond football, representing hope and enthusiasm for the entire North East region. He recalled meeting Keegan on a couple of occasions, describing him as an exception to the rule of not meeting one's heroes.

McPartlin also paid homage to Keegan, affectionately known as "King Kev," highlighting his role in revitalizing Newcastle United during his managerial tenure. He stated that words like "legends and saviours" were fitting for Keegan, whose contributions to the game and especially to Newcastle United supporters will be deeply missed.