Declan Donnelly breaks down in tears over death of ‘childhood hero’ Kevin Keegan aged 75 as he tells sweet story about winning competition to play football with him aged six

Declan Donnelly broke down in tears over the death of his ‘childhood hero’ Kevin Keegan.

The I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! star paid tribute to the football legend – who died on July 20 aged 75 after a battle with stomach cancer.

Appearing in the latest episode of his Hanging Out podcast with TV pal Ant McPartlin, Dec became emotional as he explained how much the Newcastle United player meant to him.

He shared: ‘I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear when I heard the news [of Keegan’s death]. 

‘He just meant so much to the people of the North East.

‘He was just such a special man and we were very lucky enough to meet him on a couple of occasions.’

The I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! star paid tribute to the football legend  (Dec and Ant McPartlin pictured with Kevin in 1995)

Kevin died aged 75 after a battle with stomach cancer 

Dec went on to recall the first time he met the footballer, revealing that he was just six years old when he won a competition to play football with his hero.

He said: ‘The first one [time we met]: I met him, when I was, I think, six or seven. I won a competition to play football with Kevin Keegan.

‘We played loads of fun games and all of that and then Kevin Keegan comes along at the end of it and you get to kick a ball around with him. 

‘We all went in for sandwiches and crisps afterwards and then every single one of us had a photograph with Kevin.

‘He sat with each of us and put his arms around us. As a six-year-old boy that was just the best, meeting your hero. You know they say you should never meet your heroes, but he was absolutely the exception.’

Dec added: ‘So yeah I shed a tear last week and I’m shedding another one this morning. RIP Kev, King Kev, Special K. What a guy.’

Appearing in the latest episode of his Hanging Out podcast with TV pal Ant , Dec became emotional as he explained how much the Newcastle United player meant to him

He shared: ‘I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear when I heard the news [of Keegan’s death]’

Kevin won 63 caps for England and scored 21 goals across his ten-year international career

Ant went on to share his own memories of Keegan. He said: ‘Well said, well said. It’s true. You know, words like legends and saviours get banded around but he did.

‘He saved our club when he came back as manager. He’s a true legend of the game and a true legend to Newcastle United supporters and he will be missed. Love you, Kevin.’

The Geordie duo met Kevin at a kit launch for Newcastle United at their St James’ Park ground, and they managed to get their picture taken with him.

Ant said: ‘Kevin was around doing all of his media duties and he saw us on the pitch doing a picture on our own and he was like: ‘I’m going to get in on this.’

‘So he got right in the middle of us, got us both round the neck. He was like: ‘Come of lads, have one with me.’ He was just the loveliest man.’

Kevin was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer in January, having been admitted to hospital with abdominal problems.

In a statement announcing his passing, his family said: ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.

‘The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.

‘Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support.

‘This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy.’

He leaves behind his wife, Jean, who he met on the waltzers at Doncaster fair in 1970 – he was 19 and she was 16. 

They married four years later and had two daughters, Laura, 48, and Sarah, 44.