Dermot Murnaghan, the veteran broadcaster known for his 15-year tenure as a lead anchor on Sky News and his work with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, has died aged 68. His family confirmed he died “peacefully” on Saturday morning “following a period of illness with prostate cancer”.
Tributes from colleagues
TV journalist Susanna Reid, who presents ITV’s Good Morning Britain, shared a selfie with Murnaghan on Instagram, calling the news “utterly devastating”. She recalled the “sheer pleasure of presenting with Dermot at BBC Breakfast”, describing him as “a serious journalist who never took himself too seriously” and “intelligent and charming”.
Sky News royal commentator Alastair Bruce said working alongside Murnaghan was “an experience that brought affirmation and assurance”. He wrote on X: “He was generous, on air, and always provided the space for Rhiannon and me to weave in our context and commentary. We will miss his steady measure at the microphone.”
Sky News political editor Beth Rigby said she was “deeply saddened” by his death, having worked with him during the 2019 general election coverage. BBC Radio 4 Today presenter Nick Robinson praised Murnaghan as “someone you instinctively trusted – clever, warm and witty”, while journalist Liam Halligan remembered him as “a brilliant broadcaster – and huge character”.
Political and charity tributes
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wrote: “Dermot Murnaghan was a broadcasting legend who we have lost far too soon. His tireless advocacy, encouraging more men to get tested for prostate cancer, will no doubt have saved lives.”
Radio DJ Liz Kershaw, whose brother Andy Kershaw died of cancer in April, also paid tribute on X and urged followers to get their prostate checked to “honour his memory”.
Prostate cancer advocacy
Murnaghan announced his “incurable but it’s not untreatable” prostate cancer diagnosis last year and became a vocal advocate for raising awareness. Speaking on BBC Breakfast last November, he urged men in high-risk groups to get checked, admitting he delayed testing “because I felt fine”.
Charities including Prostate Cancer Research said they were “profoundly grateful” for his support, praising his “remarkable honesty and courage”. A spokesperson for Prostate Cancer UK said the charity is “heartbroken” by his death, adding: “He was a passionate and dedicated supporter of our charity, and his work had a huge impact on the hundreds of thousands of men affected by prostate cancer across the country.”
Career highlights
Murnaghan began his presenting career in 1989, hosting Channel 4’s breakfast programme and its business segments before becoming a lead presenter. At ITV he hosted the Lunchtime News and News at Ten, and led coverage of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. He was a main presenter of BBC Breakfast from 2002 to 2007 and later presented his own politics and current affairs show on Sky News. He left Sky in 2023, having covered the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Murnaghan was also known for hosting the BBC quiz show Eggheads for 11 years.
