Bill Turnbull death news: Legendary BBC broadcaster dies aged 66 after 'challenging' fight against prostate cancer | The Sun
TV presenter and journalist Bill Turnbull has died at the age of 66 after a long "fight" with cancer, his family has confirmed.
Popular TV anchor Bill Turnbull was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 – forcing him to temporarily step down from his Classic FM radio show.
Despite his illness, Bill continued his work and even replaced Piers Morgan in Good Morning Britain, in 2021.
A statement from the BBC presenter's 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, 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. 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."
Read our Bill Turnbull blog below for the latest updates…
- Henry Moore
Who is most at risk of prostate cancer?
The NHS website says the risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, with most cases developing in men aged 50 or older.
Black men are more likely to be affected, while it is less common among Asians.
Recent research suggests obesity increases the risk.
- Henry Moore
Bill Turnbull described chemo as 'unbearable'
"I just couldn't bear it any longer," the legendary host said.
"It's the fact that having cancer is so relentlessly boring. You go to bed at night thinking about it, and it's still there when you wake up.
"It's there all day, every day – a fact of life you have to get used to. And it's a massive pain in the backside."
"it felt as if the chemo was now taking on a life of its own, like some malevolent gremlin".
- Henry Moore
Statement from Bill Turnbull’s family
Bill Turnbull's family have released a touching tribute following his tragic passing.
A statement said: “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. 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.”
- Henry Moore
Susanna Reid's touching tribute to Bill Turnbull
The two legendary broadcasters worked together for many years.
In a statement, Reid said: "Bill was the kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business. 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.”
- Henry Moore
Robert Rinder remembers Bill Turnbull
Tributes have flooded in for the late broadcaster following his tragic passing yesterday.
"A truly lovely, bright & decent human," Rinder said.
- Henry Moore
Piers Morgan pays tribute to Bill Turnbull
The world-famous presenter and commentator paid tribute to the iconic journalist.
"RIP Bill Turnbull, 66," he said.
"One of the best broadcasters in Britain, and such a smart, funny, warm & generous-spirited man.
"Fought his illness with typical stoicism, courage and humour. Bill made presenting live TV look so effortless, which was his great talent. Such sad news."
- Henry Moore
Wycombe Wanderers pay tribute to Bill Turnbull
Bill was a massive fan of the Football League side.
The club said: "Wycombe Wanderers mourns the passing of an incredibly wonderful man and passionate supporter of our football club.
"Rest in peace, Bill Turnbull. We will miss you so much."
- Henry Moore
Bill's passion for football
Like many Brits, Bill Turnball had a passion for football.
He was a massive supporter of Wycombe Wanderers.
- Henry Moore
What TV shows has Bill Turnbull appeared in?
Turnbull is famed for his role on BBC Breakfast, but else had he been in?
Other TV appearances include ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Through The Keyhole; the BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind, Would I Lie To You?, Pointless Celebrities and Room 101, and he appeared in the dictionary corner for Channel 4’s Countdown.
In 2011 he appeared in the Doctor Who episode The Wedding Of River Song in which he played himself.
- Henry Moore
In pictures: Bill's time on Strictly
Bill Turnbull appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005.
He came sixth on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing with pro dancer Karen Hardy.
- Henry Moore
Bill's passion for bees
Away from broadcasting, Bill Turnbull had a passion for bee keeping.
He even ran the London Marathon wearing a bee-keeper's suit.
"There's a zen-like calm that you get when you open up a hive and the sun is shining," he said.
"It puts you in a good mood and takes you out of yourself."
- Joseph Gamp
Pictured: Bill Turnbull, BBC Breakfast's familiar face
Bill was diagnosed with incurable prostate and bone cancer in November 2017 while filming for the celebrity special of The Great British Bake Off which is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
Bill had his prostate tested aged 40 and 50, and hadn't seen a GP for four years.
His family today confirmed the heartbreaking news he had passed away following a "challenging and committed fight" against the disease.
- Henry Moore
What did Bill Turnbull say after his diagnosis?
The defiant 63-year-old said: “I’m not dying yet, I just don’t feel that way. I understand that I may succumb to the disease eventually and that’s a very real possibility, a probability. But not for some time.
“So every day I go down the bottom of my garden, usually at night-time, and I shout at my cancer and tell it to get stuffed. I use much stronger language.
“I also say, ‘Not today. In a couple of weeks time I might not feel so good. But right now you’re not having me’.
- Henry Moore
Steph McGovern remembers Bill Turnull
Former BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern reacted to Bill Turnbull's death, 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."
- Henry Moore
BBC presenters pay tribute to Bill Turnbull
BBC presenters Nick Robinson and Mishal Husain paid tribute to former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull following his death.
Speaking on the programme on Thursday morning, Robinson said: "We've lost a very dear friend and an extraordinary broadcaster.
"There was a warmth to his broadcasting. People who watched breakfast television every day just knew how warm Bill was and perhaps what they forgot was what a bloody good journalist he was.
"This was a man who'd been a correspondent in Washington, who travelled 30 countries. He'd been in Moscow, he'd covered wars, he'd reported on the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
"And that combination of a razor-sharp intellect, wit, humour and humanity came out every day when he was on Breakfast. It came out when as a reporter, and listeners of Classic FM will have heard him present beautifully as well, his love of music.
"I remember fondly, you do (too) Mishal – we've both been visitors to his house – that he and his wife, who met together, they met on this programme."
Husain added: "He'll be remembered across BBC News. Bill Turnbull, rest in peace."
- Henry Moore
What illness did Bill Turnbull have?
Turnbull was diagnosed with incurable prostate and bone cancer in November 2017 while filming for the celebrity special of The Great British Bake Off which is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
- Henry Moore
Bill's brave comments before his passing
Before he passed away, Bill Turnbull spoke of his cancer, and coming to terms with death.
The presenter said: "I've thought a great deal about death since I was diagnosed with cancer because he's there, y'know – the fella with the hood over his head and the scythe. He's waiting, and that's fine.
"I've developed quite a healthy relationship with death, I feel very, very calm about it because I've given it a lot of thought.
"There's no way I'm going to imagine I can live forever, nor would I really want to."
- Henry Moore
Prostate cancer symptoms and what to do
Prostate cancer affects men everywhere, but what are the signs, and what should you do if you are worried?
- Henry Moore
What TV shows has Bill Turnbull appeared in?
Turnbull is famed for his role on BBC Breakfast, but else had he been in?
Other TV appearances include ITV's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Through The Keyhole; the BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, Would I Lie To You?, Pointless Celebrities and Room 101, and he appeared in the dictionary corner for Channel 4's Countdown.
In 2011 he appeared in the Doctor Who episode The Wedding Of River Song in which he played himself.
- Henry Moore
John Simpson hails Bill Turnbull
BBC broadcaster John Simpson described Bill Turnbull as "charming" as well as being a "sharp reporter".
He tweeted: "Very sorry to hear of the death of my former colleague Bill Turnbull.
"He was charming and relaxed, and managed to combine being a clever, sharp reporter with sympathetic understanding as an interviewer. And he faced a vicious disease with great courage."
- Henry Moore
Dan Walker pays tribute to Bill Turnbull
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker remembered Bill Turnbull following his death at the age of 66, 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."
- Henry Moore
When was Bill Turnbull diagnosed with prostate cancer?
Bill was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.
The diagnosis came whilst filming for the celebrity special of The Great British Bake Off which is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
Follwoing his diagnosis he said: "It saddens me that I'm not going to be around as much as I thought with my wife and family…and I realised if things progress as they do on average, I can't plan beyond 12 years."
- Henry Moore
Did Bill Turnbull have children?
Bill and his wife Sarah have three children.
They have two sons, Henry, who was born in October 1988, and Will, who was born in October 1980.
They also have a daughter, Flora, born in August 1991.
- Henry Moore
Who is Bill Turnbull's wife Sarah McCombie?
Bill Turnbull and Sarah McCombie tied the knot in March 1988 in the London Borough of Hackney.
While the pair lived in Buckinghamshire, Sarah worked as a newsroom editor for British Forces Broadcasting.
Bill and Sarah used to live together in Bucks, but they moved to Rainow in Cheshire when BBC Breakfast relocated to Salford.
When Bill quit BBC Breakfast back in 2015, he said he and Sarah hoped to move to Suffolk, and he wanted to spend time with her – and his bees.
- Joseph Gamp
Who is most at risk of prostate cancer?
The NHS website says the risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, with most cases developing in men aged 50 or older.
Black men are more likely to be affected, while it is less common among Asians.
Recent research suggests obesity increases the risk.
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