Ben Fordham has announced the death of his “little mate”, five-year-old Luca, the only son of his cousin, Tori.

Luca had been at the Children’s Hospital at Randwick after suffering a stroke in November last year.

“I have been steeling myself to say this,” Ben began on his Breakfast show this morning.

Press PLAY below to hear Ben’s heartfelt tribute

Dr Antoinette Anazodo OAM told Ben Fordham while she didn’t treat Luca, she was one of those who got to know him over 11 months.

“He was more than family.

“You have to look after people as you’d look after your own families, and that means falling in love with our patients.”

Ben Fordham has thanked Bear Cottage’s Bronwen Simmons where Luca was looked after.

Press PLAY below to hear the full interviews