GB News host Stephen Dixon fought back tears today as he discussed Southport victim Elsie Dot Stancombe’s funeral.
Stancombe’s family have called for “the best possible celebration” for the seven-year-old girl who was killed in a stabbing attack.
She died alongside Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, after an attacker walked into a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on 29 July.
A visibly emotional Stephen looked ahead to the service which will take place at St John’s Church in Birkdale.
Stephen Dixon was left heartbroken as he looked ahead to today's sad occasion
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“I can’t bear it. It’s bad enough as outsiders when we saw it all happening”, he said.
“We had a new Dixon arrival this week, a beautiful little girl. When you think of all the joy we’re having this week with my great niece but then you see this, just save years after a birth. It’s just unbearable.”
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Ellie Costello added: “It’s just the innocence as well. She is so beautiful and she had her whole life ahead of her.
“She was just going to a holiday dance class which her parents probably worked hard to save for. It’s just awful.”
Stephen continued: “Often in this job, you try and distance yourself from some of the horrible stuff you talk about.
“It’s the only way to keep sanity sometimes. This one is hard though. I’m feeling it this week because of our little new arrival, but this brings it all home.
Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello were both saddened as they discussed the funeral
GB NEWS
“Today will be a celebration, but it’s just terrible.”
In a statement released on the morning of the funeral of Stancombe, her family described her as a “devoted Swiftie” who “brought light, love and joy to so many lives”.
They said: “Elsie embraced life and it is with positivity, hope and love that we celebrate her life today on ‘Elsie’s Special Day’.
“Elsie spent every day just simply enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, (left to right)PA“Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room that she entered, she was truly unforgettable.”
Her family added: “She loved to dance and it goes without saying she was a devoted ‘Swiftie’, she was always up for anything and gave every activity a go, we went to them all.
“She found her real passion in cheerleading, her weekly classes couldn’t come around quick enough.
“Her persistence was admirable, from completing a 3k run and 10k charity walk for her local hospice, as well as moving up books bands in school, everything she did she gave 100 per cent and would never give up.”