Bill Turnbull’s poignant Deborah James tribute in final months of his own cancer battle

2022-09-01

Television presenter Bill Turnbull shared a moving message for Dame Deborah James just months before they both tragically died from cancer.

It was announced on Thursday morning that BBC Breakfast favourite Bill Turnbull has died at the age of 66, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Months before he passed away, Bill shared a touching tribute to Deborah, reaching out to her when she told fans she was about to start receiving end of life care.

Deborah posted: "The tweet I never wanted to write. The time has come to say goodbye. 5 years to prepare, doesn't make it any easy.

She added: "I'm under hospice at home care & I'm spending my time surrounded by family. Please buy me a wine to see me out and raise vital funds. bowellbabe.org"

In response to the heartbreaking statement, Bill wrote: "Oh dear. I thought that thanks to your courage and resilience, you would go on and on. You have done so well. Wishing you peace and comfort, lots of love xxxxx."

Tributes have been flooding in following the sad news of Bill's death.

Speaking on Thursday morning’s BBC Breakfast as the news broke, presenter Naga Munchetty said: "All of us here are sending love and support to Turnbull’s family.

"And I think today, after we get over the shock of this, we will start remembering the really funny things that Bill did."

The emotions were clear to see and hear, Naga continued: "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."

She added "I’m sure you will miss him, we certainly will too."

Announcing that Bill had died, his family said: "Following a challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family on Wednesday, 31 August."

They added: "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," they said, adding he was a devoted Wycombe Wanderers fan and "an ever-aspiring beekeeper".

BBC Breakfast co-presenter Louise Minchin also gave a touching tribute on Twitter.

She wrote:"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. Most of all he was great fun, I love how he made me laugh. Xx"

Having left the BBC in 2016, Bill joined Classic FM, and continued presenting shows on the network until recently, when his health issues left him unable to work.

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