TVNZ's Jenny-May Clarkson breaks down on last Breakfast show of the year

Clarkson, who recently joined the Breakfast team this year, became emotional when saying her goodbye's in this morning's show. Photo / TVNZ

TVNZ Breakfast host Jenny-May Clarkson broke down in tears live on air during the show's last episode of the year.

Clarkson, who recently joined the Breakfast team this year, became emotional when saying her goodbyes during this morning's show.

As she said her thank yous and goodbyes she also passed a message on to those who have lost someone close to them.

Clarkson, who recently joined the Breakfast team this year, became emotional when saying her goodbye's in this morning's show. Photo / TVNZ

"For those of us who have lost someone this year, remember them with fondness, laughter and love," she said tearing up as her fellow presenters comforted her.

"We keep their legacy alive by telling their stories, so laugh, love and live these Christmas holidays, and be kind to yourself."

The former Silver Ferns' brother, Jeffrey Coffin, lost his battle against bowel cancer last year in July.

Previously speaking to the Herald about her brother's death, she said it felt like the whole room was closing in when he broke the news to the family.

"You don't know where to look. What to say. I didn't want to look at my mother, because I knew the pain she would be going through ... I was too afraid to speak to him," she said.

"But he still talked about the fact that he was going to beat this. And even in his last breath, he didn't want to go. He fought to the end."

• Watch: Premium - Jenny-May Clarkson talks about the death of her brother

After he died, she said: "You knew at that point that there was no more pain."

Just over three months after Jeff's death, her father Waka Coffin suffered a fatal heart attack.

"I believe that part of it was him having to watch his son go through all of that," Clarkson says. "And in the end I just think it was a broken heart."

She added that after their deaths she has several on-air panic attacks, but told Now To Love that she is seeing counsellor regularly.

Clarkson replaced Daniel Faitaua's role as Breakfast's newsreader in September after he left the show to become TVNZ's Europe correspondent.

"I'm stoked to be joining Breakfast," she said in a statement.

"It's a privilege to be welcomed into the homes of Kiwis across the country as they start their day. The team is awesome, and this marks an exciting time for me and my family, and one that I'm ready to jump into, albeit with a large coffee in hand."