TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan dies of prostate cancer at the age of 68 | television

Former BBC and Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has died aged 68 after a “period of illness with prostate cancer”, his family said.

The journalist, who has been appearing on British television for a long time, was also known for hosting the quiz show Eggheads.

Before joining Sky in 2007, Murnaghan was the lead presenter of the BBC Breakfast Show and often moderated the 6am and 10am news programmes.

The death of Diana, Princess of Wales, was announced live on ITV News in 1997, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced on Sky News in 2022.

Murnaghan revealed in June last year that he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. He said at the time: “Needless to say, my message to all men over 50, in risk groups or who are showing symptoms, is to get yourself tested and campaign for routine NHS prostate screening.”

“It is with great sadness that Dermot Murnaghan’s family announce that he passed away at his home in north London earlier this morning. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side,” his family said in a statement published on X on Saturday.

“The family would like to thank the medical teams who cared for Dermot with extraordinary sensitivity and compassion throughout his illness.”

His family have asked that “anyone who wishes to remember him consider supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and North London Hospital so that others can benefit from the research and care he received.”

Amy Rylance, from Prostate Cancer UK, described Murnaghan as a “passionate and loyal supporter of our charity”, saying his work “has had a huge impact on hundreds of thousands of men with prostate cancer across the country”.

Murnaghan’s recent projects have included the Channel 5 true crime documentary series Killer Britain and the Legends of News podcast, where he spoke to other famous journalists. The final episode was released in January.

He made a cameo appearance as a newsreader in the 2004 film Wimbledon, which starred Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.

After his diagnosis, Murnaghan said he formed a “fairly unwanted bond” that brought him happiness with Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic gold medalist who revealed he had prostate cancer in October 2024. Hoy contacted Murnaghan after hearing about his diagnosis.

“It’s the priest. He said to me: ‘No matter how bad it is, you have to think of treatment as helping you punch,'” Murnaghan told The Telegraph. [the cancer] behind.'”

About one in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to Prostate Cancer UK, and the disease often has no symptoms in its early stages.

Murnaghan’s funeral will be a small family service. A memorial service for friends and colleagues will be held at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, known for its association with journalists, later this year.