BBC Breakfast returned on Wednesday with Roger Johnson and Sarah Campbell hosting the show.
During the latest instalment, Roger, 56, paused the show to share some sad news. The presenter told viewers: “Some sad news from the United States from late last night.
“George Wendt, who starred in the popular comedy series Cheers has died at the age of 76” to which BBC Breakfast played clips of George as Norm Peterson in Cheers.
Sarah then continued: “He did of course play the character of Norm Peterson in every episode of the show, earning him six Emmy nominations.he US population watched its finale in 1993. His family said: ‘He died peacefully at home in his sleep.'”
BBC Breakfast returned on Wednesday with Roger Johnson and Sarah Campbell hosting the show(Image: BBC)
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It comes as a representative told the Hollywood Reporter over the sad news: “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
As well as Cheers, the late dad-of-three also played the popular character in the short-lived spin-off The Tortellis, in an episode of Wings, and in an episode of the successful Cheers spin-off, Frasier.
The late actor’s filmography includes roles in Dreamscape (1984), House (1985), Fletch (1985), Gung Ho (1986), Plain Clothes (1987), Never Say Die (1988), Guilty by Suspicion (1991), Forever Young (1992) and Spice World (1997).
One of his final appearances on the small screen came about in 2023, when the late dad-of-three competed in season nine of The Masked Singer US.
Actor George Wendt, famed for his role as Norm Peterson in Cheers, has sadly passed away at the age of 76(Image: 1989 CBS Photo Archive)
George sung as “Moose”, where he was mostly sitting during the performance, and was eliminated on “’80s Night” alongside Christine Quinn of Selling Sunset fame as “Scorpio”. He also made a surprise appearance on stage when he reunited with the Cheers cast at the Emmy Awards in 2024.
Celebrities have been paying tribute to George following the actor’s death, including the late star’s Cheers co-star Ted Danson. Ted, who played Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom, said in a statement that he was “devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us.”
The Good Place actor told PEOPLE: “I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.”
BBC Breakfast continues each day at 6am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
