His family announced today that Bill Turnbull, a journalist and TV host, has passed away at the age 66.
Turnbull’s loved ones said Turnbull passed away peacefully in Suffolk after losing his battle with prostate cancer. The disease was first diagnosed in November 2017.
During this morning’s BBC Breakfast, Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, his former emotional colleagues, also broadcast the news live.
Turnbull was a BBC1 presenter from 2001 to 2016, and he revealed his diagnosis on March 2018. He also detailed his treatment in Staying Alive, a Channel 4 documentary.
His announcement that he was going on a health leave from Classic FM’s show in October of last year made it clear.
Stayt spoke on BBC Breakfast this morning: “Welcome Back.” Now, we have sad news for you. Bill Turnbull, our former colleague and Breakfast hostess, has passed away. His cancer diagnosis was in 2017.
Munchetty read out the statement of his wife Sesi, which stated: “Our beautiful Billy passed away yesterday evening nearly five years after he was diagnosed with advanced prostate carcinoma.” It was a very memorable week for him. His entire family was present and shared wonderful moments.
Bill Turnbull, Susanna Reid and ITV’s Good Morning Britain live on February 26, 2020
Bill Turnbull, Sesi and Sesi are with him as he departs BBC Breakfast on February 26th 2016, after 15 year of service.
Bill Turnbull, a contestant on the third Strictly Come Dancing series when he was with Karen Hardy, was one of his partners.
The news was also announced on BBC Breakfast today by his emotional former colleagues Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty
Present and past present BBC Breakfast hosts celebrated the 25th anniversary of BBC Breakfast.
Bill Turnbull, Susanna Reid and Susanna Riley present the BBC Breakfast in Salford April 2012.
From left to right: Charlie Stayt (right), Carol Kirkwood (left), Bill Turnbull (right), Simon Jack (right), Louise Minchin (left), and Chris Hollins (right) with the award for “Best Television Daytime Program” at the TRIC Annual Awards in London, March 2010.
His family announced that Bill Turnbull, a former host of BBC Breakfast and Classic FM, has passed away at the age 66.
Stayt continued: “She continues to add that even though Bill was in pain often, Bill was brave and dignified through it all and was always his determined self until the very end. We are so proud to have had the opportunity to laugh with Billy every day.
Munchetty said: “Our friend, former colleague Breakfast presenter. Bill Turnbull has passed away after a battle with prostate cancer. Many people will know him.
“Of course, all of us are here sending support and love to Bill’s family and Sesi, his wife. I believe that today, after getting over the shock, we’ll start thinking about the fun and memorable things Bill did. Like when I shared with him my energy.
He came in to this program and did everything he could, each day. We all found him funny as we sat on the couch. He was an excellent journalist, loved the programme, and loved to serve you. He will surely be missed by you, and we sure will.
Stayt stated that ‘He was wise, he didn’t take himself too seriously when sitting here’ which is an excellent combination.
Susannah Reid, Turnbull’s Breakfast’s co-presenter, wrote that Bill was “the kindest, funny, and most generous person in business.” It was an honor to work with him. He taught me so much. He was also devoted to his loved ones, and that is what I miss most. RIP Bill. You will be greatly missed by us.
His loved ones praised his treatment at Ipswich and Royal Marsden hospitals as well as St Elizabeth Hospice, and his doctor.
He said, “He was determinedly positive and was enormously buoyed to the support he received by friends, colleagues and messages from people wishing his luck. Bill found it a comfort that more men now have the opportunity to test earlier for this condition.
Bill will always be remembered as Bill, a broadcaster extraordinaire who brought joy and laughter into homes through BBC Breakfast and Classic FM.
“He was also an avid Wycombe Wanderers fan, and an aspiring beekeeper.
Bill was an amazing father and husband to his children. His family and friends will be forever grateful for the way he made everyone laugh and shared his love with all.
Following Turnbull’s passing, BBC Radio 4 Today’s Mishal Husain and Nick Robinson paid tribute.
Robinson spoke on this morning’s programme and said that he had lost a dear friend as well as an exceptional broadcaster.
“There was warmth in his broadcasting. The warmth Bill was a familiar face to those who viewed breakfast TV every morning. Perhaps they didn’t realize how good he was as a journalist.
«This was a man who worked as a Washington correspondent and traveled 30 different countries. He had been to Moscow and covered wars.
“And that mixture of sharp intellect, humor, wit, and humanity was evident every day when he appeared on Breakfast. He first shared his music love as a reporter. Classic FM listeners may have also heard it.
‘I fondly remember, you do too Mishal. We were both guests at his house. He and his wife first met each other on this programme.
Husain stated that he will always be remembered by BBC News. Bill Turnbull, please rest in peace.
Dan Walker, a former BBC journalist said that it was an honor to be able to lie on his couch.
His tweet read: Bill Turnbull was kind, generous and open-minded when I replaced him as BBC Breakfast’s host. His brilliant advice was evident and it was obvious how much he loved by both his coworkers and the public. It was an honor to be able to sit down on his couch. I am thinking of his loved ones.
Roger Mosey was the former BBC TV News head and said, “I’m so deeply sorry about Bill Turnbull’s passing. With our dogs and the sun – I will remember him always – with my greatest love.
Former BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern said: ‘Absolutely gutted that our Bill Turnbull has passed away.
“A great broadcaster and friend…” He taught me so many things. We had some hilarious arguments over how to pronounce “poor” words. He was loved by all of us. RIP Bill.’
John Simpson of the BBC described Turnbull to him as both ‘charming and a sharp reporter’.
He posted: “Very sorry for the loss of Bill Turnbull, my ex-colleague.”
“He was friendly and easy-going, and he managed to be a smart, skilled reporter and an interviewer with sympathetic understanding. With great courage, he overcame a horrible disease.
Piers Morgan said, ‘RIP Bill Turnbull. 66. One of the best broadcasters in Britain, and such a smart, funny, warm & generous-spirited man.
“Fought his disease with typical strength, courage, and humor. Bill was a great presenter, making it seem effortless. Such sad news.’
Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: ‘Sadly Bill Turnbull has passed he was a great presenter and a nice guy R.I.P’.
Turnbull began his broadcasting career in Scotland at Radio Clyde in 1978. He joined the BBC in 1986 as a reporter on the Today program, and then became a reporter on BBC Breakfast Time in 1992.
Turnbull was appointed a BBC News correspondent in 1990. He reported from over 30 countries and covered notable stories such as the Monica Lewinsky affair and OJ Simpson’s trial.
He returned to Britain and became a main host on BBC News 24.
Turnbull was also a presenter for Weekend Breakfast at BBC Radio 5 Live.
Sian Williams was his BBC Breakfast presenter, and he joined BBC Breakfast in 2001. He worked with Sian until she left the BBC after it moved from London to Salford.
Susanna Reid was the co-anchor, while the presenter presented with Reid until 2014. Turnbull and Reid then joined ITV. Turnbull had other co-hosts, including Louise Minchin, among others.
As Bill Turnbull attends the Bees for Development event at Marlborough House, London in June 2019, The Duchess Of Cornwall walks alongside Bill Turnbull
Sian and Bill Turnbull, at the TRIC Awards in Grosvenor House on Park Lane London on March 3, 2012
BBC Breakfast presenters, left to right: Bill Turnbull and Louise Minchin; Naga Munchetty; Charlie Stayt
As he left the red couch in February 2016 he recalls his favorite moments during his breakfast career. He recalled “nearly getting into an argument with a ventriloquist’s dummy named Bob” and wearing a dog-hair jumper.
He said, “It was okay, it was very hot, and I couldn’t get the stuff from me for weeks,”
He was a regular television presenter, even on BBC Breakfast.
He was a contestant in 2005 on Strictly Come Dancing, where he was paired with Karen Hardy.
ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? also featured him. Through The Keyhole, the BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind. He also appeared on Would I Lie to You? and Pointless Celebrities.
Bill Turnbull receiving the TRIC Awards 2011 in London with his award for Newscaster/Reporter
Bill Turnbull is pictured here at Global’s Make Some Noise Day in London, October 2016. (left) and at the Classic Brit Awards 2018 in London at The Royal Albert Hall in June 2018. (right).
Sian Williams, Bill Turnbull arrive at the Dorchester Hotel in London for the TV Choice Awards 2010.
His family announced that Bill Turnbull, 66 years old, has passed away.
He appeared as himself in Doctor Who’s The Wedding Of River Song (2011).
His love for beekeeping inspired him to publish The Bad Beekeepers Club in 2011, a funny account of the trials and tribulations of being an apiarist.
BBC Breakfast tweeted: “Former BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull has passed away.” He was 66. We loved our viewer. His colleagues loved him.
Bill will forever be remembered for being warm and funny, as well as his brilliant journalism skills.
Classic FM’s ex-presenter, a tweet said that he was ‘one the most admired broadcasters in the country’.
Tweet: “We are extremely sad to announce that Bill Turnbull (one of the most loved broadcasters in America, and was well-loved at Classic FM), has died.” Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill’s family.