BBC Breakfast aired an emotional tribute to Dermot Murnaghan on Monday's show following his death at the age of 68. The former BBC, ITV, and Sky News host passed away on Saturday 11 July at his North London home, surrounded by family, a year after disclosing his diagnosis with stage four prostate cancer.
Montage of Memorable Moments
In honour of Dermot, the programme broadcast a montage video showcasing his finest moments during his tenure on BBC Breakfast from 2002 to 2007, before he moved to Sky News. The tribute highlighted his authoritative and professional style.
Sian Williams Remembers Her Colleague
The show also featured a conversation with Dermot's former co-star Sian Williams, who worked alongside him for many years. Williams, now 61 and a counselling psychologist, described him as warm, funny, and incredibly versatile. She noted that viewers trusted him because he did the work, often interviewing politicians without a script or pre-written questions. "If I couldn't ask my own questions I don't deserve the right to be here," she recalled him saying.
Family Statement
Dermot's family, including his wife of 37 years Maria Keegan and children Kitty, Molly, Alice, and Jack, released a statement thanking the medical teams who cared for him with sensitivity and compassion. They also expressed gratitude for the many messages of goodwill he received since his diagnosis and his subsequent campaigning to raise awareness for prostate cancer screening.
BBC Breakfast airs at 6am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
