Eamonn Holmes paid an emotional tribute to the late Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist who died on Wednesday at the age of 91.
Dr Goodall, who became known for her work with apes and environmental campaigning, died in California while she was on a speaking tour in the United States, the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed last night.
Joining The People's Channel via a video link, GB News host Eamonn labelled the conservationist "the most impressive individual I have ever met".
"First of all, I mean, what was Jane like to be in the presence of? What was she like as a person?" presenter Cameron Walker asked.
Eamonn Holmes fondly remembered the groundbreaking work of Jane Goodall
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"She was the most impressive individual I have ever met," Eamonn gushed. "I would say the most important, the most talented human being that I've ever met in my lifetime.
"And we doing the job, are privileged to meet a lot of very impressive people. And my only thing about Jane is not enough people knew about her.
"Those that did know about her were spellbound, absolutely taken in by the gift that she had."
As a photo on screen showed the late anthropologist meeting President Biden, Eamonn continued: "And there she's getting the badge of honor from President Biden."
Eamonn Holmes reflected on Jane Goodall's astonishing ability to communicate with animals
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Another clip showed Dr Goodall being hugged by a chimpanzee, prompting a touched Eamonn to comment: "Now, look at her here.
"The communication that she has with these chimpanzees. Look at this, it is this is just amazing.
"That chimp isn't reacting with everybody else around her like that, and the reason is that she speaks the language of that chimp, so she is literally a Doctor Dolittle."
Animal-lover Eamonn continued: "She can talk to the animals and the animals can talk to her. And she learnt the vocabulary over 40, 50 years.
"Bit by bit, adding to it. And it's just - I tell you, it's eye watering just looking at how that animal can reach out and talk to her.
"And none of us, none of us can do that. And my whole point about her is, and I got to know her over seven years or so and I did many, many interviews with her, and I talked to her personally.
"But my point is why why is nobody teaching us to talk to the animals? Why?
"Why is no one forming a connection between us and cows, us and sheep, us and dogs?
Eamonn Holmes joined the channel's morning show to remember Jane Goodall's work
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"I mean, we can all say something to our dog or cat, but we're not - we're not speaking sense to them.
"I mean, there she is. You saw her there, speaking sense to that chimpanzee, saying goodbye to the chimpanzee and saying, 'Look, we're going to reintroduce you to the wild again.
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Dr Jane Goodall discovered that chimpanzees ate meat, fought fierce wars, and fashioned tools in order to eat termites | GETTY"'And then off you go. If you need me, I'll be here. We'll come back and we'll meet in this place.'
"And it is stunning to watch. Just absolutely mind-blowing."