Tom Bergeronis looking back on the special memories he shared with his late friend,Bob Saget.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the formerDancing with the Starshost opened up about his bond with Saget — whodied suddenly at age 65 on Sunday— and the memorable moments they shared throughout the years.
“He was a performer certainly, but he was a human being, first and foremost, and was remarkably well-grounded,” says Bergeron, 66. “There are some people out here [who] sit on the perceived totem pole [and it] is all they consider. I think Bob was one to not only appreciate his own abilities but to nurture and appreciate others. That’s a wonderful trait.”
“He loved performing,” Bergeron adds. “He loved making people laugh. I mean, you can see that in thelast tweet that he put out after his show, the night before he died in Florida. He loved being back on stage. He loved being out, meeting people and knowing that there was still an audience for him that he could still make people laugh.”
Mitch Haddad/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Saget wasfound deadin his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday afternoon, following a performance outside of Jacksonville the night prior, the Orange County Sheriff’s Officeannounced on Twitter.
“He was everything to us and we want you to know how much he loved his fans, performing live and bringing people from all walks of life together with laughter,” the statement read. “Though we ask for privacy at this time, we invite you to join us in remembering the love and laughter that Bob brought to the world.”
Bob Saget and Tom Bergeron.
Bergeron and Saget had a years-long bond due to their hosting gigs onAmerica’s Funniest Home Videos. TheFull Housealum hostedAFVfor eight seasons from 1990-97 on ABC, while Bergeron presented for 11 seasons from 2001-15.
Saget’s successors also include John Fugelsang and Daisy Fuentes, as well asAlfonso Ribeiro, who currently hosts the show.
On Monday, Bergeronspoke out about Saget’s deathwith atribute poston Instagram.
“For my final @afvofficial, I asked my friend for a special favor. Without hesitation he said yes (linkto video in bio),” he wrote. “I’ll always be grateful for that. And for our friendship. #RIP.”
That same day, the officialAFVaccount and Ribeiroalso posted tributesto the late actor on Instagram.
In AFV’s post, the beloved family show shared a photo of Saget andcaptionedit, “A comedy legend. A kind soul. Our dear friend. We will miss you. ❤️.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Bergeron previously recalled howhe learned the news about Saget’s death, revealing toEntertainment Tonightthat a friend had relayed the devastating information.
“I think she said something like, ‘Just heard about Bob, I am so sorry,'” BergerontoldET. “It reminded me of years ago when I got the newsJohn Ritterhad died.”
“And just that feeling of every nerve ending suddenly coming alive and then it was just a matter of trying to find out more information and responding as best I could to friends texting to see if it was true,” he added. “The morning after, I am still in disbelief.”
source: people.com
