Emotional moment 90s pop icon fights back tears live on...

POP legend Chesney Hawkes was seen choking back the tears live on Radio 2, as he paid tribute to his friend who died just two weeks ago. The iconic singer, 53, welled up as he dedicated a song to the life of his best pal Vic Irvine who was laid to rest earlier this month.

Image Credit: The Sun [Chesney Hawkes on BBC Radio 2, visibly emotional.]

Vic was Chesney's childhood pal and diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021. Sadly, he lost his battle with the disease earlier this month, leaving his friend devastated. The singer - who shot to fame with his 1991 hit The One And Only - looked in bits as he struggled to start his performance.

Image Credit: The Sun [Chesney Hawkes on BBC Radio 2, appearing emotional while speaking into a microphone.]

With tears in his eyes, and his voice starting to crack, Chesney said: "I literally just lost my best friend a couple of weeks ago. "And so I'm here, you know, promoting this song about loss, just as I'm, thinking about Vic. "You know, so it's tough to sometimes perform because of that, you know?".

Image Credit: The Sun [Chesney Hawkes on using music to process grief.]

Chesney was told by host Vernon Kay to "take his time", as he gathered his thoughts. The emotional star then sang a powerful performance of his song Loud, which was written for Vic. The moving clip of Chesney was posted on Radio 2's Instagram, with fans immediately flocking to comment on how they too had been moved to tears.

Image Credit: The Sun [Man speaking into a BBC Radio 2 microphone.]

One wrote: "sending so much love Chesney, such a touching performance, I can't stop crying.". Another commented: "What a beautiful song. I am so sorry for your loss, what a lovely tribute to Vic.". This one said: "Genuinely sorry for your loss. But my God to carry on and perform and sing must have been so difficult to execute physically.

Image Credit: The Sun [Chesney Hawkes performing on stage.]

"A fitting tribute to your friend.". Chesney and Vic were friends long before the singer became famous. Vic revealed shortly before his death how his friend's new music had been keeping him going amid his stage 4 cancer battle. Talking to BBC Radio Solent Dorset Breakfast show host Steve Harris, Vic said in December: “We go back to before he was famous. It's been a ride, it really has.

Image Credit: The Sun [Chesney Hawkes wiping away a tear while discussing using music to process grief.]

“We've had some good times, some not so good, but it's been brilliant.”. Talking of the impact of the track, he said: "Ches doing this, that's the things that keep me going. "It's an outrageous life I lead, to be totally honest with you.". Earlier this month, Chesney revealed his friend had died.

Image Credit: The Sun [Chesney Hawkes on Good Morning Britain discussing using music to process grief.]

During a chat with Good Morning Britain anchors Susanna Reid and Ed Balls he talked about his song Live Forever being about Vic. As he became overwhelmed with emotion and took a pause, Susanna said: "Oh it's so hard. "I am so sorry Chesney.". He continued: "It's odd that I'm talking about a song about loss right now at this particular moment in time but you know," before wiping his eyes.

"But he loved the song, he did, he loved it. "He told me it was the way he was going to keep a connection with his loved ones. "That's what it's about basically.". Later in the chat, Chesney revealed the pair's sweet nicknames for each other. He said: "We used to call each other TC - trusty companions.