BBC Breakfast viewers felt emotional after hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt began the show with some “very sad” news.
As they welcomed viewers to Thursday’s episode, they shared one of their main stories about Southport victim Alice da Silva Aguiar, discussing her parents’ first visit to her primary school since her tragic passing.
Naga started by saying: “Good Morning, it’s Thursday 20th of February. In their first broadcast interview since their daughter was killed, the parents of Alice da Silva Aguia have said that she was born to be a star.”
Charlie then added: “Alice, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Bebe King were killed in a knife attack last July. Both Alice and Bebe were pupils at Churchdown Primary School, which is now planning to build a playground in memory of the two girls.”
He continued: “Sarah Campbell has this report,” reports the Express.
The programme then transitioned to a pre-recorded segment showing Alice’s parents, Sergio and Alex, visiting her primary school for the first time since her death.
While talking about their daughter, Alex revealed: “She started dancing when she was 16 months. She did ballet, then she was in the academy, she was born to be a star.”
Discussing the planned new playground, Alex mentioned that her daughter would have loved the stage the most.
She concluded: “For us, it is really important to make this happen. She would have been happy, and I’m sure she is proud of us doing this.”
However, the segment left viewers feeling emotional and many took to social media to share their thoughts. One wrote: “Very sad and heartbreaking….. family should’ve felt safe and secure living here but this country has let them down.”
Another penned: “I have watched the parents of the young girl, Alice murdered in Southport on @BBCBreakfast this morning, and it breaks my heart.”
Someone else added: “At last, a decent segment on @bbcbreakfast regarding the community in Southport and what they’ve been doing post the murder of the three little girls. An amazing and human community project. Very touching story.”
“Heartbreaking story about Alice Aguiar on #BBCBreakfast,” a fourth agreed, while one said: “Inspirational to see Alice’s parents with @ChurchtownSch Headteacher Jinnie Payne on BBC Breakfast to talk about plans to raise funds for a new playground at the school in Alice and Bebe’s memory.”
BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.