END OF AN ERA: Kevin Frankish signs off on Breakfast Television
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There was plenty of laughter and equal amounts of tears as Kevin Frankish, the iconic co-host of Breakfast Television, finished his final show Friday, capping a remarkable 27-year stint.
Everyone who was anyone came out to wish him well, and the hashtags #ThanksKevin and #ThankYouKevin went viral on Twitter. From Major John Tory, who presented Frankish with a certificate from city council honouring his work, in particular his various charitable works, to Mike “Pinball” Clemons, who made sure everyone in the room received a hug, Frankish was surrounded by an abundance of love on his last day working the early shift.
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Messages came in from famed Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who sent him well wishes via a video. The TTC brought in a 1951 streetcar where Frankish’s family members – wife, Beth, their children and their partners — were waiting to surprise him. His daughter Kaelynn, a journalist, flew in from Vancouver for the special goodbye
He may be saying farewell to the morning shift, but not to the company. Rogers has said he’ll be creating special projects and documentaries. “We’ve kept Kevin for Toronto audiences long enough! Now we’re excited for Kevin to entertain and inform viewers across Canada through these new, original primetime specials,” said Colette Watson, senior v-p of TV and broadcast operations for Rogers Media.
Towards the end of the segment, many of Frankish’s colleagues were reduced to tears.
“It’s been 12 years of joy and laughter and love and (it) changed our mornings forever … I deeply cherish every single one,” said co-host Dina Pugliese. Colleague Winston Sih called Frankish the best TV dad. “I never thought I would be working next to a Canadian TV icon,” he said.
On-air journalist Tammie Sutherland said Frankish “made great television – big personality and an even bigger heart.”
BT’s famous gardener and weatherman Frank Ferragine posted on his FB page: “From being the first man I see in the morning to being the MC at my wedding and being the first camera to enter the room when my boys were born, @kevinfrankish we have grown together and I look forward to what the future brings!“
Frankish, too, became emotional, struggling with his words while wiping tears as he spoke about his love of his families – his own, his TV family and the viewers.
“I purposely didn’t prepare anything because it has to come from the heart. I don’t think I can get there except that it has been a privilege and an honour,” he said.
“Thank you.”
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