Dempsey Honors Dane: ALS Took His Voice

told of how Eric Dane's 'quality of life rapidly deteriorated as he lost the ability to speak' in the days before his death in a heartbreaking tribute. 

The actor, 60, reflected on his friendship with his Grey’s Anatomy co-star after he passed away this week aged 53 following a battle with ALS. 

Patrick revealed that he last spoke to him 'about a week ago' and wished to remember him for the 'moments of fun that we had together.'

Eric was known for a multitude of roles throughout his Hollywood career, including his portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan (also known as McSteamy) on Grey's Anatomy, while Patrick starred as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd.

Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Friday, Patrick said how he will always remember and celebrate the joy he brought to people’s lives.

He said: 'I just woke up this morning and it was very sad to read the news. It’s hard to put into words. I feel really so sad for his children.'

Patrick continued: 'I was corresponding with him, we were texting so I spoke to him about a week ago and some friends of ours went in to see him and he was really starting to lose his ability to speak. 

'He was bedridden and it was very hard for him to swallow so the quality of his life was deteriorating so rapidly. 

'He was the funniest man - he was such a joy to work with and I want to just remember him in that spirit because any time he was on set, he brought so much fun to it. 

'He had a great sense of humour. He was easy to work with, we got along instantly. First scene was him, you know, in all his glory, coming out of the bathroom with the towel on looking amazing, making you feel completely out of shape and insignificant.'

'We hit it off because it was never really any competition. There was just this wonderful mutual respect. 

'He's wickedly intelligent and I'm always going to remember those moments of fun that we had together and celebrate the joy that he did bring to people's lives and the real loss is for us who don't have them anymore. 

'He did an incredible job at bringing awareness to this horrible disease and those remaining days and it just reminds us that we all have to celebrate every day like it's our last day.

'It's something that we have to remember and certainly in a world where there is just so much crisis and there is so much tragedy that we really need to be grateful for every moment that we have.'

Patrick added: 'Spend time with our families, do things that are better, that benefit of other people to be of service to be kind, to be loving... these values. 

'With our leadership unfortunately that we're seeing around the world and certainly in America with this horrible, corrupt government that is currently running America, we have to remember to treat our neighbours and our friends with the right values.'