The well-loved actress died peacefully at her home in Southern California on Monday morning at the age of 73.
And on Tuesday’s episode of This Morning on ITV, Josie Gibson, 37, was moved to tears by Grease actor Barry Pearl’s heartfelt tribute to Olivia Newton-John.
The 72-year-old actor – who starred as T-Bird Doody (Frenchy’s boyfriend) in the iconic 1978 film – spoke live from his Los Angeles home, with his words leaving Josie visibly emotional as she walked alongside her co-host Craig Doyle, 51, sat .
Emotional: On Tuesday’s episode of This Morning, Josie Gibson, 37, was moved to tears by Grease actor Barry Pearl’s heartfelt tribute to Olivia Newton-John (pictured with Craig Doyle)
Barry spoke fondly of how Olivia would sign emails to people, with the late star saying, “Love and light Olivia” at the end of each email.
Josie gushed: “Barry those words are just beautiful they are absolutely beautiful,” while Craig added: “Take care today Barry it’s going to be a tough day for you take care.”
Josie grew increasingly emotional and continued: “Sending you so much love because it must be very, very difficult for you because we know how close you were.”
Barry replied: “Thank you for having me around and speaking to the collective heart of the fans because you are the ones who keep us all relevant.”
Fond memories: The 72-year-old actor spoke live from his home in Los Angeles, with his words leaving Josie visibly emotional
Flashback: Barry Pearl famously played Doody, one of the three T-Birds, a gang of teenagers who attended Rydell High School, in the 1978 film version of Grease
Moved: Hearing Barry’s warm words brought Josie to tears, and she later confessed: “Barry got me there, Barry definitely got me there.”
As his voice began to crack, the Grease star added, “And she was well aware of that and she treated all of her fans with grace and dignity and love and light…thank you.”
Moved by Barry’s heartfelt words, Josie burst into tears while Craig commented: “He spoke so eloquently, didn’t he?”
With tears in her eyes, Josie simply said, “I know,” and she later confessed, “Barry took me there, Barry definitely took me there.”
Iconic: Olivia (left, as Sandy) shared many scenes with Pearl in Grease. They are seen here filming the final musical sequence
On-screen couple: The actor starred as T-Bird Doody – Frenchy’s boyfriend – in the iconic 1978 film (pictured with Didi Conn, who played Frenchie)
Barry Pearl played Doody, one of the three T-Birds, a gang of teenagers who attended Rydell High School, in the 1978 film version of Grease.
He has appeared on numerous television shows over the years including Beverly Hills, 90210, Baywatch, Criminal Minds and more.
Like his Grease co-star Didi Conn, Barry returned to the franchise for Grease: Live, this time in the role of Mr. Stan Weaver.
While never quite reaching Grease’s heights again, Pearl became an acting coach.
Olivia got her big break in the 1978 film musical as the pretty two-shouldered teenager Sandy Olsen – in which she starred alongside John Travolta’s handsome bad boy Danny Zuko – and created the new song “Hopeless Devoted To You”.
Lifelong friends: Barry couldn’t hide his tears as he recalled his friendship with his late friend (Image LR: Didi Conn, Barry Pearl, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 2018)
Olivia’s husband broke the news of the star’s death in a heartbreaking Facebook post on Monday morning after decades of bravely and extraordinarily publicly battling cancer.
“Dame Olivia Newton-John, 73, died peacefully this morning at her Southern California ranch surrounded by family and friends,” Mr. Easterling wrote.
“We ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this very difficult time.
“A symbol of triumph and hope for over 30 years, Olivia shares her journey with breast cancer.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicines continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund dedicated to research into plant medicines and cancer.”
Flowers were laid on her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as fans celebrated the life of the much-loved actress and singer.
Newton-John’s husband announced her death on her Facebook page on Monday. She was 73