CBC television personality Steven Sabados has broken his silence after the death of Chris Hyndman, saying in an emotional tribute that the spirit of his longtime partner and co-host of CBC 's Steven and Chris will endure.

"I, our families and friends, wish to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming expressions of tenderness, love and tribute in honour of my beloved Christopher," Sabados says in a statement released on the Steven and Chris Facebook page Friday morning.

"Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing his generous, larger-than-life spirit lives on."

Sabados met Hyndman in 1988 in Toronto. The couple's personal relationship provided a magical mix of humour and banter that endeared audiences around the world to their show.

"From the moment I met Christopher, we went forward in life, side by side and shoulder to shoulder," Sabados writes.

"He was my best friend, my confidant, my partner, my one love. Over 27 years, we built a beautiful life together; always remembered, always cherished.

"As we find our way through this difficult time, we are asking for privacy. Thank you for your understanding."

Hyndman, who was born in Ottawa and raised in Newfoundland, was found without vital signs in a laneway near their home in Toronto on Monday night. He was 49 years old.

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Memorial draws mourners

Fans and colleagues descended on the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto this week to leave messages, mementoes and flowers at a memorial set up in the building's atrium, where dozens of screens are projecting Hyndman's face and the words "in memory of."

CBC invites you to share your memories and condolences with Hyndman's family and other Canadians. Providing your name is optional, but please include your location.

If you have personal stories to share, email them to us at yournews@cbc.ca.

If you have any photos or videos, share them with us at yournews.cbc.ca/upload.

You can also leave messages on our Facebook page, or send them to us via Twitter to @CBCTrending.