Declan Donnelly hails ‘childhood hero’ Kevin Keegan in tearful tribute to Newcastle icon

FootballSports
31 Jul 2026 • 5:20 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Declan Donnelly hails ‘childhood hero’ Kevin Keegan in tearful tribute to Newcastle icon

  • TV presenter and Newcastle United fan Declan Donnelly has paid an emotional tribute to his "childhood hero" Kevin Keegan, who passed away on 20 July at the age of 75 after a battle with stage four cancer.
  • Donnelly, alongside his presenting partner Anthony McPartlin, honoured Keegan on their podcast, "Hanging Out With Ant And Dec", hailing him as a "true legend to Newcastle United supporters" and acknowledging his profound impact.
  • Donnelly described Keegan as the "David Beckham of his day" and the reason he developed a "rollercoaster love affair with Newcastle United and football" after Keegan signed for the club in 1982.
  • The Newcastle-born presenter expressed his devastation at the news, admitting he "shed a tear", and highlighted Keegan's immense significance to the people of the North East beyond just football.
  • McPartlin echoed these sentiments, stating that Keegan "saved our club when he came back as manager" and would be deeply missed as a true legend of the game and for Newcastle United supporters.

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