Louise Minchin has told how her late co-star Bill Turnbull saved the life of one of their BBC Breakfast colleagues after he spoke out about his cancer diagnosis. The presenter and journalist's death was announced by his family in an emotional statement on Thursday (September 1).
His family, including wife Sarah, who is known as Sesi, said Bill died peacefully, aged 66, at home on Wednesday (August 31) after a "challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer." He had been diagnosed with the disease in November 2017.
Bill, who appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016, revealed the diagnosis in March 2018. He had been suffering from pains in his legs but hadn't wanted to bother his doctor. He took part in a celebrity edition of The Great British Bake Off, in aid of charity Stand Up to Cancer, in November 2017.
He found he had cancer during filming and spoke in the programme about his diagnosis and later detailed his treatment in a Channel 4 documentary called Staying Alive.
Following the news of his death, Bill has been remembered as the “kindest, funniest, most generous man” by former colleagues. Louise Minchin, who left BBC Breakfast last year, paid tribute to her co-star in a special tribute version of the BBC One show on Friday (September 2), and recalled what effect Bill had on those around him
She revealed he managed to save one of his colleagues' lives because of his decision to go public with his health diagnosis. "There's one thing that's been really emotional to me in the last 24 hours and just standing here today, there's a key example," she said. "Bill was very private about his family and his lovely wife and his children, for which he was so proud. But he took that brave decision to talk about his diagnosis of prostate cancer and it saved lives."
She added: "I'm standing here today with a cameraman called Bernard who went and got checked because of what Bill said. He had an aggressive form of prostate cancer, it was caught, he had an operation and he's here with me because of Bill." Naga Munchetty, who was hosting the tribute show alongside Charlie Stayt, shared how she was told by someone said they would be getting a check because of Bill's openness about his cancer as she paid tribute to him on the radio yesterday.
Louise, who first appeared on the broadcaster’s flagship morning news show in 200l, said farewell to BBC Breakfast in September 2021, while Bill signed off from the sofa in 2016 after 15 years. During Louise’s final programme, Bill featured in a moving tribute saying she was “most of all a warm, sunny person who will always be my friend”.
Alongside a public statement, Bill's widow Sesi also released a special message which was read out on BBC Breakfast on Thursday when Naga and Charlie somberly broke the news of their former colleague and friend's passing. "Our lovely Billy died yesterday evening," it read.
"Almost five years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. The last week of his life was very special as the whole family was with him and they shared some wonderful moments." She added: "Although Bill was often in pain, he was dignified and brave throughout and he was his usual determined self right until the very end. He made us laugh everyday. We are immensely proud of him. He was the heart of our family. It's hard to imagine life without him."
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