Tennis legend Sir Andy Murray was visibly moved as he spoke about the "cruel" terminal cancer diagnosis of his close friend, Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy. The emotional interview aired on BBC Breakfast ahead of a powerful new documentary detailing Hoy's journey.
A Heartbreaking Revelation Between Friends
Murray, 38, explained to host Sally Nugent how he learned of Hoy's condition. The six-time Olympic gold medallist, 49, was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in September 2023 after seeking help for shoulder and rib discomfort. He publicly revealed the stage four diagnosis in February 2024.
"I messaged him afterwards," Murray recounted, describing a meeting after the Olympics. "I didn't want to ask because there was lots of people around... He was like, 'Well no, it's been a really tough year, but I'm doing this charity bike ride about changing perceptions around stage four cancer.'"
The Wimbledon champion told his wife he suspected the worst from the message. "It was literally, maybe the next day, two days later, that he announced it publicly for the first time," Murray said, pausing to wipe away tears.
Documentary Follows Hoy's Biggest Challenge
Both Murray and fellow Olympic cyclist Dame Laura Kenny feature in the forthcoming BBC documentary, Cancer, Courage and Me. The film, a BBC Breakfast and BBC Sport collaboration, follows Hoy as he faces his diagnosis while organising a major charity cycling event, the Tour de Four, in Glasgow.
The documentary aims to raise £1 million and show that staying active during treatment is possible. It airs on Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
"I was really upset by it," Murray continued. "It's obviously cruel because he's a young guy, he has a young family. He's obviously dedicated pretty much his whole life to being healthy, fit and active."
Family Impact and a Positive Update
In a separate BBC interview, Hoy's wife, Lady Sarra Hoy, revealed the heartbreaking reaction of their two children, Callum, 11, and Chloe Rose, 8, to their father's illness. She said they asked if they had caused it by being naughty, prompting the family to openly integrate cancer and chemotherapy into their daily lives.
Despite a recent serious mountain biking crash that left him on crutches, Hoy has offered a promising health update. He confirmed his condition is now 'stable' thanks to successful treatment.
"None of us are here forever so you want to make the most of the time you have and do the things you enjoy," Hoy stated, reflecting on his continued passion for cycling.
The documentary promises an intimate look at how Hoy's legendary mental fitness, honed during his Olympic career, is shaping his approach to life after diagnosis, featuring insights from teammates and his psychiatrist.
