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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Kirsty McCormack

BBC's Naga Munchetty fights back tears as she pays tribute to Bill Turnbull live on air

BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty admitted she was in "shock" live on air following the death of her former colleague Bill Turnbull.

On Thursday morning it was announced that Bill had sadly died at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.

Naga, 47, and her co-host Charlie Stayt were told the news just before 9am and paid tribute to Bill live on air.

Charlie began: "We have some sad news to bring you this morning, our former colleague, former Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull has died. He'd been diagnosed with cancer in 2017."

The pair then read out the statement released by Bill's wife Sesi as she confirmed his passing and said he was "his usual determined self right till the very end".

BBC Breakfast hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty paid tribute to Bill Turnbull on Thursday's show (BBC)

Naga and Charlie then introduced a short video montage of Bill's life and career, and when the camera cut back to the studio, Naga looked very sombre.

"Of course all of us here sending love and support to Bill's family, to Sesi his wife, and I think today after we've gotten over the shock of this, we will start remembering the really funny things that Bill did.

Bill Turnbull hosting BBC Breakfast alongside Louise Minchin (BBC)

"Just like when I presented 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 the 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, but we certainly will too," Naga added.

Charlie then said: "He was a wise head, but he didn't take himself too seriously when he sat here, which is a great combination."

Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2017 (PA)

Bill, who appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016, was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2017 and went public with his diagnosis the following year.

Bill's heartbroken wife Sesi released a statement paying tribute to Bill as she announced he had passed away peacefully at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family on Wednesday 31 August.

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