Susanna Reid lead tributes to BBC Breakfast's Bill Turnbull after death aged 66

Susanna Reid and Dan Walker have led tributes to BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull who has died at the age of 66.

The beloved TV presenter died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at home on Wednesday, five years after he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer.

‘Bill was diagnosed in 2017 and has had outstanding medical care from the Royal Marsden and Ipswich Hospitals, St Elizabeth Hospice and his GP,’ his family said in a statement.

‘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.’

Tributes have poured in from the stars, with Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid writing: ‘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.’

Political commentator Rupert Myers wrote: ‘Oh no, Bill Turnbull has died. What a wonderful broadcaster. Very sad – rest in peace.’

BBC journalist Sangita Myska tweeted: ‘Such sad news. So many of us grew up watching him broadcast. He oozed warmth and grit in perfect balance.’

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Turnbull joined BBC Breakfast in 2001 as a presenter alongside Sian Williams and they worked together until 2012 when she left for Salford.

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.

‘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.’

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

He then co-anchored the ITV’s Good Morning Britain with Susanna and the pair presented together until 2014, when Susanna left the show to join ITV.

Recalling his most memorable moments from his breakfast career as he signed off from the red sofa in February 2016, he said ‘nearly getting into a fight with a ventriloquist’s dummy called Bob’ and wearing a jumper made of dog hair.

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