Bill Turnbull remembered as ‘the kindest man’ as Susanna Reid leads tributes

2022-09-01

Susanna Reid has shared an emotional tribute to Bill Turnbull following his death aged 66.

Bill died peacefully at home in Suffolk after a “challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer”, his family confirmed. He had been diagnosed in November 2017.

Susanna, 51, co-hosted BBC Breakfast with Bill up until her departure in 2014, and described the late presenter as the “kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business” in her tribute.

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.”

Dan Walker, who took over from Bill when he left BBC Breakfast in 2016, also paid tribute.

The co-host, who has now moved from the BBC to Channel 5, 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.”

Bill appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016. He revealed his cancer diagnosis in March 2018 and detailed his treatment in a Channel 4 documentary called Staying Alive.

BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty shared their tributes after Bill's death was announced live on air on Thursday morning.

Both visibly tearful, they remembered their predecessor on the BBC One show as “an “amazing” journalist and friend.

Charlie said: “He was a wise head, he didn’t take himself too seriously when he sat here, which is a great combination.”

Naga added: “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 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, and we certainly will too.”

Prostate Cancer UK tweeted: “Our friend and ambassador Bill Turnbull has died.

“Bill worked tirelessly to raise awareness of prostate cancer following his diagnosis in 2017, and it was our privilege to work alongside him.

“Our thoughts are with Bill’s loved ones today.”

Bill is survived by his wife Sarah McCombie and their three children.

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