Chesney Hawkes pays tribute to friend in radio set

Vic Irvine (left) and Chesney Hawkes (right) became friends at school

Chesney Hawkes has paid tribute to his best friend during a live performance for BBC Radio 2 Piano Room.

The pop star appeared on the show, hosted by Vernon Kay, to perform a mixture of old and new hits.

During his segment, he paid tribute to Cerne Abbas Brewery owner Vic Irvine, who died in January.

Mr Irvine had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer three years ago and previously spoke about the impact Chesney Hawkes' latest album, Living Arrows, had on him.

Ahead of performing his new song Loud with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale Studios, Mr Hawkes explained it was "very, very close to my heart".

Talking to Vernon Kay, he said: "It's about loss, I wrote this some years ago with an artist who had just lost his brother.

"The weird timing of this all is that I literally just lost my best friend, a couple of weeks ago, so I'm here promoting this song about loss - just as I'm thinking about Vic."

The singer said he had found the song "tough to perform" since his friend's death, but then said: "Can I do this one for Vic?" to which Mr Kay answered "Of course, take your time".

Mr Hawkes and Mr Irvine became friends as children at school and previously appeared on BBC Radio Solent together to talk about Living Arrows.

Speaking to host Steve Harris in December, Mr Irvine said he had been listening to the album for the last year before it was officially released, while receiving treatment.

Mr Hawkes had said the song Live Forever was inspired by his friend's "zest for life".

Reacting, Mr Irvine said at the time: "Ches doing this, that's the things that keep me going. It's an outrageous life I lead, to be totally honest with you."