Journalists Matt Barbet and Louise Minchin will remember their late friends Bill Turnbull and Dermot Murnaghan as they take on a fundraising charity cycle ride. They will represent Prostate Cancer UK as they take part in Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 event in Glasgow on Sunday.
Former Sky News anchor Dermot Murnaghan died in July after announcing his diagnosis with stage four prostate cancer the previous summer, and ex-BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull died with the illness in 2022.
Ride means so much
Murnaghan took part in the inaugural Tour de 4 in 2025 and his long-time friend and Sky News presenter Barbet will be thinking of him as he rides this year.
Barbet said: “This ride means so much to me. I actually messaged Dermot a few months back to check in on him and let him know I’d signed up for the Tour de 4 as I know he did it last year.
“His response was shattering: ‘Not too well tbh. I’ll keep you posted’. He passed away on July 11 and I’m devastated that he’s gone.
“Dermot was a master of his craft and although we never directly worked together, he taught me so much. We became mates through our cycling around 15 years ago. We’d leave our homes in north London and head out to Surrey or Essex, chewing the fat as we clocked up the kilometres. It was so much fun.”
He added: “Dermot was a huge supporter of Prostate Cancer UK and selflessly gave up his time to promote their vital work.
“It’s something I will continue doing and I’d urge men concerned about their prostate health to speak to their GP or complete the online risk checker on the Prostate Cancer UK website. It takes 30 seconds and might just save your life.
“Dermot won’t be riding this year, but he will be with me through every pedal stroke in Glasgow, which is an honour.”
Returning for second year
Former BBC Breakfast presenter Minchin worked with Turnbull for many years and will be joined by BBC presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty as she returns for this year’s event, having cycled alongside Murnaghan last year.
She said: “Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra have done such an amazing job setting up this ride, and I’m so excited to be back for a second year to ride with them.
“It’s an incredible event and does so much to raise awareness of the impact of stage four cancers.
“I know there will be some familiar faces there, and some new ones too, all bonded by a connection to this dreaded disease.
“Prostate cancer sadly took the life of my dear friend Bill Turnbull four years ago this week and I still miss his wise words and sense of humour.
“We shared a sofa together, but so much more too. He was funny, mischievous and made me laugh every day.
“He was also a brilliant journalist and away from work was a very private man who loved his family dearly, but his decision to speak about his prostate cancer diagnosis saved lives.”
Sir Chris was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2023 and a year later was told it was terminal.
Event format and fundraising
This year’s Tour de 4 will follow a similar format to last year with participants setting off from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and choosing between routes over different distances.
Fundraising this year will support five major UK cancer charities – Breast Cancer Now, Cure Leukaemia, Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggie’s and Prostate Cancer UK – with all general donations being split equally between the five.
Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave and his wife Lady Ann Redgrave, former Scotland rugby star Kenny Logan and astronaut Tim Peake will also represent Prostate Cancer UK at the event.
Sir Chris said: “Our mission with Tour de 4 is simple: to show that you can live well with stage four cancer and still lead a happy, fulfilling life.
“We’re coming together to prove that, and to raise vital funds for people facing cancer.
“Prostate cancer can be completely curable if found early, but it’s the only major cancer without a screening programme.
“I’m pushing to change this, and it’s reassuring to me that Prostate Cancer UK’s Transform trial is already under way to get us closer to the day when every man is screened.
“Every pedal stroke at the Tour de 4 will make a huge difference to men and their loved ones.”
More information about Tour de 4 2026 can be found at tourde4.com.
