BBC reporter breaks down in tears on live TV during emotional broadcast at site of Paris vigil...

BBC Breakfast reporter Graham Satchell broke down on live TV during an emotional broadcast from Paris this morning.

Standing in front of one of the memorials in the city, the father-of-three became overcome with emotion as he spoke about the aftermath of the terror attacks in which at least 129 people died.

 

The reporter was talking about the hope he has seen in the French capital since Friday's massacre when his voice started to catch in his throat and he had to stop the report early.

Speaking to the camera, Mr Satchell said: 

'The feeling here in Paris has certainly changed significantly since we arrived on Saturday when Paris was a ghost town.

'Last night it was incredibly busy. There were vigils here, there were vigils at the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was lit up in red, white and blue, which I think is a sign of hope.'

His voice began to crack slightly as he said the last few words and he closed his eyes as he tried to compose himself. 

Last night, the Eiffel Tower was open and illuminated for the first time since the attacks after turning off its lights out of respect for the victims.

Pausing for a moment, Mr Satchell looked down and touched his hand to his head before he looked off camera and said, 'sorry, I'm so sorry'.

He appeared to swallow hard as he tried to gather himself before again looking away.

Giving her colleague a way to end the broadcast, Sally Nugent, who was anchoring the programme alongside Bill Turnbull from the BBC studios in Manchester, said 'Graham'.

Mr Satchell replied: 'I will leave it there. There is certainly hope here in Paris.'  

As the shot cut back to the Breakfast studio, Mr Satchell was seen walking off camera, clearly upset.

Ms Nugent and Mr Turnbull told viewers that the story has been 'distressing' for all those involved.

Social media users commended Mr Satchell's bravery, calling him the 'embodiment of true, honest reporting'. Another said, 'a journalist showing the emotion of the tragedy'.

One user, Nick Buckley, tweeted: Thank you for professional, insightful yet very human reporting #authentic'.

Emily White wrote: 'Very moving to see Graham Satchell moved to tears whilst reporting on the Paris Attacks, it said more than words could'.

And fellow BBC reporter Leah Boleto added: '@grahamsatchell doing a fantastic job in Paris under extreme circumstances. Sending you our support!' 

Mr Satchell later took to Twitter to thank viewers for 'all their kind tweets', adding he has been 'humbled by the Parisian response in the last few days'. 

It came as harrowing footage emerged showing terrified survivors cowering among shattered glass as bomb blasts and gunfire ring out around them.

Video shows people lying in pools of blood outside bars and restaurants while the haunting cries of the injured and the sound of explosions can be heard in the background as the massacre unfolded.

#PrayForParis ...