TV presenter and former Sky News anchor Dermot Murnaghan has died aged 68 following a period of illness with prostate cancer, his family confirmed in a statement on Saturday. The veteran broadcaster passed away at his home in North London on 11th July, surrounded by his family.
Long Career in Broadcasting
Murnaghan was a familiar face on British television for over five decades. He began his presenting career in 1989 on Channel 4's breakfast programme and later became one of its lead presenters. He subsequently worked for ITV, hosting the ITV Lunchtime News and News at Ten, and led coverage of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. In the early 2000s, he joined the BBC, where he was a main presenter of BBC Breakfast until 2007. He also hosted the popular quiz show Eggheads from 2003 to 2014.
Murnaghan spent 15 years as a lead anchor for Sky News, presenting his own show on politics and current affairs. He anchored the broadcaster's 2019 general election coverage and the death of Queen Elizabeth II before leaving in 2023. He also presented documentaries such as Crimes That Shook Britain for Channel 5 and Killer Britain for the Crime + Investigation UK channel.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Advocacy
Last year, Murnaghan announced he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, describing it as “incurable but it’s not untreatable.” Following his diagnosis, he became a vocal advocate for cancer awareness, urging men in high-risk groups to get tested. Speaking on BBC Breakfast in November, he admitted he had delayed testing “because I felt fine.”
In a statement on his X account, his family thanked the medical teams who cared for him “with such sensitivity and extraordinary compassion” and noted the “many, many kind messages of goodwill” he received since his diagnosis. They requested that those wishing to remember him consider supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research, and North London Hospice.
Funeral and Memorial Plans
In accordance with Murnaghan’s wishes, the funeral will be a small family ceremony. A memorial service for friends and colleagues will be held later this year at St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street, known as the Journalists’ Church.
