BBC Breakfast stars past and present have been leading tributes to one of the show's former hosts Bill Turnbull following his death. His passing was announced in a statement from his family on Thursday morning (September 1).
The 66-year-old, who appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. The presenter revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis in March 2018, saying he was diagnosed the previous November, and he detailed his treatment in a Channel 4 documentary called Staying Alive.
In October last year he announced he was taking a leave of absence from his show on Classic FM for health reasons. A statement from his family said today: "Following a challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family on Wednesday, 31st August.
"Bill was diagnosed in 2017 and has had outstanding medical care from the Royal Marsden and Ipswich Hospitals, St Elizabeth Hospice and his GP. He was resolutely positive and was hugely buoyed by the support he received from friends, colleagues, and messages from people wishing him luck. It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease.
"Bill will be remembered by many as a remarkable broadcaster who brought warmth and humour into people’s homes on BBC Breakfast and Classic FM. He was also a devoted Wycombe Wanderers fan and an ever-aspiring beekeeper."
Ending the message his family, including his wife of 34 years; Sarah, said: "Bill was a wonderful husband and father to his three children; his family and friends will miss how he always made them laugh, and the generosity and love he shared with those around him."
Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt broke the news on this morning's BBC Breakfast. Both were visibly tearful as they remembered their predecessor on the BBC One morning show as “our friend and former colleague” and an “amazing” journalist with a “wise head”. Addressing viewers at the end of Thursday’s show, Charlie said: "He was a wise head, he didn’t take himself too seriously when he sat here, which is a great combination."
Naga, with her voice beginning to break, said: "Of course all of us here are sending love and support to Bill’s family, to Sessie his wife, and I think today after we get over the shock of this, we will start remembering the really funny things that Bill did. When I was presenting with him, his energy was amazing, he came into this programme and threw everything at it.
"Every single day, he was funny when we sat here on sofa, he was a brilliant journalist, and he loved this programme and he loved serving you, the audience. So I’m sure you will miss him, and we certainly will too." BBC Breakfast then played a highlights reel of Bill Turnbull’s career, which began at BBC Radio Clyde in Glasgow. He went on to report on the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
Paying tribute, the short obituary clip described him as “a much-loved fixture in people’s homes” who was “straight-forward about the condition, clear with his advice” after he announced he had prostate cancer. He told viewers after his diagnosis: "For heaven’s sake go and get yourself tested – if you catch it early then that’s much better than finding out too late."
BBC Breakfast’s obituary concluded: "His openness had a remarkable impact – the number of people getting treatment for prostate cancer went up by more than a third in a year. helping thousands of other men remains perhaps his greatest legacy."
Bill's former colleague and BBC Breakfast co-presenter, Susanna Reid, who also recently hosted Good Morning Britain together, described him as "the kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business". She tweeted: "I feel lucky to have worked with him and he taught me everything. But above all, he was devoted to his family and I am heartbroken for them. RIP Bill. We will miss you so much."
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker, who left the programme to host 5 News on Channel 5 earlier this year, remembered Bill on social media, saying it was an "honour to sit on his sofa".
He tweeted: “Bill Turnbull was so kind and generous when I took over from him on BBC Breakfast. He was full of brilliant advice and it was clear just how loved he was by his colleagues and the audience. It was an honour to sit on his sofa. My thoughts are with his family and friends."
Former BBC Breakfast presenter and Channel 4 star Steph McGovern reacted to the sad news, saying "We all loved him." She tweeted: “Absolutely gutted that our Bill Turnbull has passed away. A fantastic broadcaster and a brilliant friend… I learnt so much from him. And we had some cracking arguments about how you should pronounce words like ‘poor’. We all loved him #RIPBill."
Sian Williams, who spent more than a decade hosting BBC Breakfast, thanked Bill "for the laughter and friendship" on Twitter. "Goodbye, Billy. The kindest, most generous of presenters. A wonderful friend for 30 years. And a man devoted to his family. All thoughts and love with them," she wrote. "You will be so, so missed – thank you for the laughter and friendship xx."
Former BBC Breakfast co-presenter Louise Minchin highlighted Bill Turnbull’s sense of humour in a tribute shared on Twitter. "Sending my love and thoughts to the family of my wonderful friend Bill Turnbull. He was a brilliant journalist, a stickler for accuracy, passionate about @BBCBreakfast and a fabulously supportive and kind team-player," she tweeted. "Most of all he was great fun, I love how he made me laugh. Xx”
GMB weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a video showing himself and Bill Turnbull attempting yoga exercises on Good Morning Britain. "Such sad news!" he tweeted. "I had the absolute honour of working with Bill Turnbull a handful of times and as you’ll see below he was strong, flexible, professional and warm! RIP"
Mike Bushell tweeted: "We are numb devastated by the passing of dear friend and former colleague #billturnbull @BBCBreakfast legend, my mentor 20 years ago, incredible talent to move from the harder news of the day to lighter stories with his clever wit warmth, our love, thoughts with his family.
"One of my favourite days since first meeting Billy when he helped me find my feet on the Breakfast sofa was a day out to watch him commentating on his beloved @wwfcofficial against @lufc 2009. He was brilliant at everything he did and most importantly the most wonderful company."
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