Bill Turnbull

Beloved British broadcaster Bill Turnbull, who presented BBC Breakfast for 15 years, has died aged 66.

presidential elections, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the London 7/7 bombings. Born in Surrey in 1956, Turnbull became a much-loved broadcaster who presented the BBC’s flagship Breakfast show from 2001 to 2016. BBC Director General Tim Davie released a statement saying: “Bill was a much loved and respected broadcaster and journalist — not just by viewers but by all those lucky enough to have worked with him. “It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease.” Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends.” He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.

Journalist who as presenter of BBC Breakfast became a popular TV personality.

He returned to Britain in 1998, becoming a presenter on the BBC’s fledgling News 24 channel and additionally, from 1999 to 2001, Radio 5 Live’s weekend breakfast show. In 2011 he and Williams were seen interviewing Charles Dickens (played by Simon Callow) in the Doctor Who story The Wedding of River Song. During this time he reported on the Lockerbie disaster, in 1988, and the Romanian revolution the following year. “I sit on the sofa with a variety of delightful partners and we try to guide our audience into the day in as friendly and informative a manner as possible,” he once said. Born in Guildford, Surrey, to William, a barrister of Scottish descent who worked in the City of London, and Honor (nee Wicks), a teacher, Turnbull was educated at Eton and, for a term while studying politics at Edinburgh University, shared a flat with the future prime minister Gordon Brown. He was also in Washington for the 2008 and 2012 US presidential elections, and travelled around the UK during the 2010 general election.

Turnbull, who appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. | ITV National News.

“And that combination of a razor-sharp intellect, wit, humour and humanity came out every day when he was on Breakfast. “There was a warmth to his broadcasting. “This was a man who’d been a correspondent in Washington, who travelled 30 countries. It was an honour to sit on his sofa. “He was also a devoted Wycombe Wanderers fan and an ever-aspiring beekeeper. Dr Sian Williams added: "He was a man who was just lovely to be with. It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease. He was full of brilliant advice and it was clear just how loved he was by his colleagues and the audience. He was a really decent bloke and I'm gonna miss him. “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.” BBC broadcaster John Simpson described Turnbull as “charming” as well as being a “sharp reporter”, while former BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern said he was "a fantastic broadcaster and a brilliant friend". 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.

Tributes pour in for the former BBC Breakfast presenter who has been described as 'the kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business'

In fact, they were a sign that the disease had spread to his bones. In 2020, prostate cancer became the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease. “He always struck the right tone, no matter what the story. Turnbull’s family said he had remained “resolutely positive” during his illness. We know what he meant to so many of you viewers. News of Turnbull’s death was announced on the BBC Breakfast programme.

The broadcaster died “peacefully” at home in Suffolk on Wednesday, age 66, after a “challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer”, his family said.

he was kind, compassionate and wise and a great friend and I loved every minute of being with him, and we are really going to miss him.” Other TV appearances included on Strictly Come Dancing, ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease. During the emotional announcement of his death, Stayt and Munchetty remembered their predecessor on the BBC One show as “our friend and former colleague” and an “amazing” journalist with a “wise head”. “He lived by high standards and expected and encouraged those of us who worked with him to do the same.” The broadcaster died “peacefully” at home in Suffolk on Wednesday, age 66, after a “challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer”, his family said.

She was among the names appearing on the programme on Friday morning to pay tribute to the show's former presenter, who died aged 66 on August 31 after a “ ...

he was kind, compassionate and wise and a great friend, and I loved every minute of being with him, and we are really going to miss him.” “But he always was kind with his time. Susanna Reid said her former breakfast co-host was like the “father of BBC Breakfast”.

Susanna Reid has said she was 'knocked sideways' by the death of her 'mentor' Bill Turnbull, calling him the 'father of BBC Breakfast'.

He became a reporter for BBC’s Breakfast Time two years later. He was delightful company’. He was so much fun to be with. everything else for Bill was irrespective and that’s an important thing to know about him’. He threw himself into everything.’ [died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/01/bill-turnbull-dead-bbc-breakfast-presenter-dies-17279828/) on Wednesday, aged 66 and following a battle with prostate [cancer](https://metro.co.uk/tag/cancer/?ico=auto_link_entertainment_P2_LNK1).