Dermot Murnaghan, the veteran TV presenter who brought us some of the most pivotal moments in British television history, has passed away at the age of 68, leaving behind a family and a legacy of courage in the face of one of the UK’s most feared diseases: prostate cancer.
Murnaghan was a fixture on British TV screens for decades, hosting the BBC’s Breakfast programme and breaking the news of Princess Diana’s death in 1997. He later joined Sky News, where he became a regular face on the channel, hosting the 6 o’clock and 10 o’clock news programmes. In 2022, he broke the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on Sky News.
But Murnaghan’s own story took a dramatic turn last year when he revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. In a poignant message, he urged men over 50 to get themselves tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS. His words were a testament to his dedication to raising awareness about the disease, which affects one in eight men in their lifetime.
Murnaghan’s courage and determination inspired many, including Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medallist who disclosed his own terminal diagnosis for prostate cancer in October 2024. The two formed a bond over their shared experiences, with Hoy offering Murnaghan words of encouragement and advice on how to cope with the disease.
Today, as Murnaghan’s family and friends mourn his passing, they are also calling on people to remember him by supporting prostate cancer charities. Amy Rylance, of Prostate Cancer UK, praised Murnaghan as a “passionate and dedicated supporter” of the charity, saying that his work had a “huge impact” on the thousands of men affected by prostate cancer across the country.
Murnaghan’s funeral will be a small, family ceremony, but a memorial service for friends and colleagues will take place at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, later this year. As the TV industry comes to terms with the loss of one of its most beloved figures, we remember Murnaghan’s legacy of courage and his tireless efforts to raise awareness about prostate cancer.
The charity Prostate Cancer UK has announced that it will be holding a memorial service for Murnaghan at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, on [date], where friends and colleagues will gather to pay their respects to the veteran TV presenter.
Murnaghan’s family has asked that anyone wishing to remember him considers supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and North London Hospice, so that others may benefit from the research and care he received.
In a statement, Murnaghan’s family said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Dermot, but we take comfort in the fact that he died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones. We wish to thank the medical teams who cared for him with such sensitivity and compassion throughout his illness.”
