ELLEN DEGENERES PAYS TRIBUTE TO PRODUCER MATT WRIGHT AFTER DEATH

Ellen DeGeneres paid tribute to Matt Wright, an executive producer on her television talk show, after a GoFundMe campaign set up for his family announced he had died following what it called an "unfathomable tragedy while working remotely" in Los Angeles on 30 October. DeGeneres shared a tearful video on Instagram in which she described him as "the glue to our entire family" on the Ellen Show. She said: "It's just shocking, it's shocking. We're gonna miss him." She also addressed Wright's husband, Justin, saying: "I am so sorry. We lost a good guy."

Wright worked as an executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show from 2006 until the programme ended in 2022. DeGeneres said he was "funny," "smart" and "kind," adding that he regularly surprised her and made her laugh. She linked his death to that of Stephen "Twitch" Boss, a co-executive producer and guest host on the show who died in 2022, saying: "Now he and Twitch are together, dancing and laughing." DeGeneres also said she and Wright had been preparing to start a new project together. Modern Family actor Eric Stonestreet and Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham both posted messages of condolence in response to her tribute.

The GoFundMe page was set up to support Wright's family following his death. DeGeneres's donation of $5,000 to the fund drew criticism online, with some commentators describing the sum as too small given her wealth. DeGeneres has not publicly responded to that criticism. She also shared a series of highlight clips from Wright's appearances on her former show as part of her tribute.