Meat Loaf's friend opens up on singer's tragic death 'He needed oxygen off stage'
MEAT LOAF has died aged 74 following a legendary career spanning six decades. On Friday's Good Morning Britain, friend of the iconic singer opened up the tragic news.
Meat Loaf: Paul Gambaccini reveals singer need oxygen
Meat Loaf, whose real name is Michael Lee Aday, died on Thursday night with his wife by his bedside. Good Morning Britain's presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway made the "devastating" announcement to ITV viewers on Friday. The duo paid tribute to the award-winning I'd Do Anything for Love singer who they described as a "larger than life character" as they welcomed radio presenter Paul Gambaccini on the show to discuss the "crushing" news.
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American-British presenter Paul, who knew Meat Loaf personally said the singer was a "bundle of energy" and just "one of the boys".
However, he also revealed Meat Loaf needed "needed oxygen off stage".
He added: "This is crushing for me, he actually played with us on our Regent's Park softball club and I did introduce one of his albums at a launch."
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Paul said: "He had periods where he was extremely obese where he needed oxygen off stage."
Reflecting on their friendship, Paul added: "He was a bundle of energy and this energy was focused by his writer and producer Jim Steinman.
"Now Jim passed away last year and that was a great loss as he was the man who was responsible for Total Eclipse Of The Heart and a couple of other hits of that grandpop operatic style.
He added: "As a person [Meat Loaf] was not operatic, he was one of the boys."
Ben and Kate, who have both interviewed Meat Loaf, also paid tribute to the late star.
Kate said: "He was still performing and enjoying so much for so long. He was still having that success, and Bat Out Of Hell is still a top 10 album of all time."
Ben recalled when he once interviewed Meat Loaf, telling ITV viewers: "He was so much larger than life, in the end, we had to throw him out of the studio because he didn't want to go and he spent the whole time in the studio with us. It was an extraordinary experience."
Ben added: "He's huge in every day, his size, his scale, his noise, and his charisma."
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In an official statement on Facebook, it was confirmed Meat Loaf had died with his wife Deborah by his side.
It read: "Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side.
"We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man.
“From his heart to your souls…Don’t ever stop rocking!”
His family has not announced the cause of the beloved singer's death.
The Texas-born star began his long-running career in the late 1960s and he soon became was well known for his impressive rock vocals.
The star sold more than 100 million albums and starred in 65 movies during his life, including Fight Club and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV between 6am and 9am.
