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Declan Donnelly was left in tears following the death of his ‘childhood hero’ Kevin Keegan, admitting the football legend was the reason he fell in love with both Newcastle United and the beautiful game.
The TV presenter, 50, became visibly emotional while paying tribute to the former England manager and Newcastle icon on the latest episode of the Hanging Out With Ant And Dec podcast.
Keegan died on July 20 aged 75 after battling stage four cancer, with his family confirming he was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.
For lifelong Newcastle supporter Declan, the loss was deeply personal.
‘Kevin Keegan was the reason that I really got into football, he was the David Beckham of his day. He was the Lionel Messi and the Cristiano Ronaldo of the 70s and 80s,’ he said.
The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! host recalled how Keegan’s arrival at St James’ Park in 1982 transformed football in the North East.
‘He signed for Newcastle United in 1982, which is when my eldest brother had started taking me to football.
‘Him signing for Newcastle was huge news, and that started my rollercoaster love affair with Newcastle United and football. He was my childhood hero. When we got the news through last week, I was absolutely devastated.
‘I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear.’
Growing increasingly emotional as he spoke, Declan explained that Keegan’s impact stretched far beyond football.
‘He just meant so much to the people of the North East,’ he said.
‘What he gave to us in his energy and enthusiasm and the hope he gave us for our football team.
‘He just meant so much beyond football to the whole region. He was just such a special man.’
Declan also shared a cherished memory of meeting Keegan as a young boy after winning a competition.
‘They say you should never meet heroes, but he was absolutely the exception,’ he said.
‘I shed a tear last week, and I shed another one this morning.’
His longtime presenting partner Anthony McPartlin, who also grew up supporting Newcastle United, echoed the sentiment as the pair reflected on the enormous legacy Keegan leaves behind.
‘Words like legends and saviours get bandied around, but he did – he saved our club when he came back as manager,’ Ant said.
‘He’s a true legend of the game, and to Newcastle United supporters, and he will be missed.’
Keegan’s place in Newcastle folklore was secured not only during his playing career but also as manager, where he masterminded the club’s return to the Premier League before assembling the swashbuckling side affectionately dubbed ‘The Entertainers’.
Although they narrowly missed out on the Premier League title during the unforgettable 1995-96 season, Keegan’s attacking philosophy and passion transformed Newcastle into one of English football’s most beloved teams.
His remarkable career also included three league titles, a European Cup, an FA Cup and two UEFA Cups with Liverpool, while his spell at Hamburg saw him become one of only a handful of Englishmen to win the Ballon d’Or twice, claiming the prestigious award in consecutive years.
After news of his death broke, Newcastle United described Keegan as ‘the beating heart of the city for generations of supporters’.
‘Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager,’ the club said in a statement.
‘He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters. As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St James’ Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.
‘As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world.’
For Declan, though, Keegan’s legacy is perhaps best summed up by the little boy who first walked through the turnstiles at St James’ Park more than four decades ago.