2GB host Ben Fordham breaks down on air after death of cousin’s child

2GB radio host Ben Fordham has issued a tearful farewell after the tragic death of a close family member.

2GB’s Ben Fordham broke down in tears live on air over the death of his cousin’s son.

The sombre radio host sobbed as he told listeners that his cousin Tori’s five-year-old son Luca tragically passed away on Saturday, months after the young boy had a stroke.

“Luca had a stroke on November 29 last year, my birthday,” Fordham said.

“He was at my mum’s house the day before swimming with his cousin’s in the swimming pool and then the next day he was running along kicking a soccer ball and the next thing his legs just gave out from underneath him.”

Ben Fordham broke down on air on Tuesday. Picture: 2GB

The radio host became emotional while discussing the death of his cousin's child. Picture: 2GB

Luca was airlifted from Wollongong to Sydney and was treated at Sydney Children’s hospital in Randwick after suffering “a complete system breakdown”.

“There was just nothing they could do for him in the end,” Fordham said.

“He had several moments over the last year or so when things got really, really difficult for him because he’d get sick in hospital and he didn’t have the strength to fight it.

“I saw him in the morning on Saturday because we knew his life was coming to an end and he died on Saturday afternoon.”

Luca’s funeral will be held on October 25, which happens to be his birthday and Fordham will sing “happy birthday” at the ceremony.

Luca tragically passed away on Saturday.

Luca died after suffering a stroke.

Fordham thanked the hospital nurses and read out each of their names on his show.

“I spent some time with him after that on Saturday and I just wanted to say to the staff at the children’s hospital, thank you for what you did for him,” he said.

“I’m going to focus on you because that will allow me to be able to talk because that’s the good thing out of this - seeing the people at the children’s hospital ... you are just absolutely incredible.”

Ben Fordham’s cousin Tori with her son Luca.

Luca and Tori.

It’s been a difficult year for Fordham, who also lost his father-in-law Ross Speers to cancer in July.

Fordham and his wife, Channel 7 news presenter Jodie Speers, share three children - Freddy, six, Pearl, four, and Marigold, two.