The Project’s Georgie Tunny moved to tears as she breaks down live on air: ‘It’s too much’

The Project’s Georgie Tunney was overcome with emotion on Thursday when discussing a Sydney family’s heartbreaking story.

A segment aired featuring Rachel and Ryan Waters, a Western Sydney couple who had festooned their home with a dizzying array of Christmas lights and festive decorations.

The initially bright festive segment quickly took a turn when the reason behind the couple’s decision to brighten their community was revealed.

‘The origins of this display go back to their first-born Sophia Claire,’ Georgie revealed in a voiceover.

The little girl was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause heart defects, shortly after birth.

Sophia underwent two open heart surgeries by the time she was just two weeks old, and two more operations followed. 

The last, to replace an artificial valve in here heart, proved fatal, and tragically, Sophie died at just three years old.

‘Just going through life without her, we still can’t imagine it,’ Rachel said. 

‘It’s something no one should ever go through.’ 

Sophia also left behind little sister Paisley. 

Speaking to camera, Paisley revealed just how much she misses her little sister. 

‘When I die I’m going to be very happy because I’m going to be with Sophia,’ she heartbreakingly said.

To honour Sophie’s memory, Rachel and Ryan install the Christmas lights each year to raise money for the charities Heart Kids and the 22q Foundation to help kids affected by congenital al heart defects.

Cutting back to the studio, the entire panel – Georgie, Jessie Stephens, Max Rushden, and Sam Taunton were all visibly moved by the story.      

‘Being able to channel your grief in a way that’s actually meant to bring joy, when really you’re in such a perfect position to scream at the world and be like: What is joy? How dare you have it and I don’t,’ observed Tunny following the segment. 

A segment aired featuring Rachel and Ryan Waters, a Western Sydney couple who had decorated their house with Christmas lights to raise money for children with congenital heart defects

Tragically, the couple lost their daughter Sophie when she was just three years old

Following the segment Georgie broke down in tears and had to be consoled by co-host Max Rushden who offered a gentle arm on the shoulder

‘The power of the human spirit is mad isn’t it? To be able to carry on. It’s too much,’ added Rushden.

The emotion of the moment proved too much for Georgie, whose voice began to start quivering.

‘Rachel and Ryan, you are gorgeous people,’ she said.

Georgie then broke down in tears and had to be consoled by Max who offered a gentle arm on the shoulder.

Georgie first joined the Project in March 2022 alongside Chrissie Swan after they were announced as replacements for Carrie Bickmore.

In August of that year, Georgie was appointed a permanent member of The Project.

Away from the camera, Georgie is in a relationship with former Australian Idol star Rob Mills.

The couple were engaged on New Years Eve 2021.