Dermot Murnaghan dies aged 68 after prostate cancer battle
Former Sky News anchor Dermot Murnaghan has been remembered as a “legendary news journalist and presenter” following his death aged 68. The broadcaster died “peacefully” on Saturday morning “following a period of illness with prostate cancer”, his family said in a statement.
Murnaghan was best known for his 15-year tenure as a lead anchor on Sky News, and also presented news bulletins for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 during his decades-long career. He started his presenting career in 1989, hosting Channel 4’s breakfast programme and its business segments before becoming one of its lead presenters. 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 until 2007 and presented his own show discussing politics and current affairs for Sky News. Murnaghan left Sky in 2023, where he covered the death of Queen Elizabeth II. He was also known for hosting BBC quiz show Eggheads for 11 years.
Tributes from colleagues and public figures
TV journalist Susanna Reid, who presents ITV’s Good Morning Britain, shared a selfie of herself with Murnaghan on Instagram, calling it “utterly devastating news” as she remembered the “legendary news journalist and presenter”. She recalled the “sheer pleasure of presenting with Dermot at BBC Breakfast”, and wrote: “Dermot was a serious journalist who never took himself too seriously. He was intelligent and charming and viewers and guests loved him.”
Sky’s royal commentator Alastair Bruce said his time 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.”
Journalist and Sky News political editor Beth Rigby said she was “deeply saddened” by the death of Murnaghan, whom she worked with during coverage of the 2019 general election on Sky. BBC Radio 4 Today programme 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”.
Advocacy for prostate cancer awareness
Murnaghan announced his “incurable but it’s not untreatable” prostate cancer diagnosis last year and became a vocal advocate and campaigner in raising awareness for the disease. Speaking on BBC Breakfast last November, he urged men in high-risk groups to get themselves checked for prostate cancer, as he admitted he delayed getting tested “because I felt fine”.
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 her followers to get their prostate checked to “honour his memory”.
Charities express gratitude
Charities including Prostate Cancer Research said they were “profoundly grateful” for the support Murnaghan gave their work, and praised his “remarkable honesty and courage” in raising awareness. 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.”
Jonathan Munro, the deputy director of BBC News, said: “Dermot was a true gentleman, and a brilliant journalist and broadcaster who was much loved by viewers and by his BBC colleagues. Across his work at the BBC, from presenting BBC Breakfast to hosting Eggheads, he was a consummate professional and someone who really had a natural ability to connect with audiences. Our thoughts are with Dermot’s family, friends and colleagues.”
