Dermot Murnaghan, the veteran television presenter known for his work on BBC Breakfast, Sky News, and the quiz show Eggheads, has died at the age of 68 after a battle with prostate cancer. His family confirmed in a statement posted on X on Saturday that he passed away peacefully at his home in north London, surrounded by loved ones.
Family statement and tributes
The family said: “It is with great sadness that the family of Dermot Murnaghan announces that he passed away at home in north London earlier this morning. He died peacefully with his family at his side. The family wish to thank the medical teams who cared for Dermot with such sensitivity and extraordinary compassion throughout his illness.” They asked that anyone wishing to remember him consider supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research, and North London Hospice.
Amy Rylance, from Prostate Cancer UK, called Murnaghan “a passionate and dedicated supporter of our charity” and said his work “had a huge impact on the hundreds of thousands of men affected by prostate cancer across the country.”
Career highlights
Murnaghan joined Sky News in 2007 after a long stint at the BBC, where he was a main presenter on BBC Breakfast and often anchored the six o’clock and ten o’clock news programmes. Earlier in his career, he worked at ITV News, where he announced the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, live on air in 1997. At Sky News, he broke the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
In June 2024, Murnaghan revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. He urged men over 50 or those in high-risk groups to get tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS.
Recent projects and personal life
His recent work included Channel 5’s true crime documentary series Killer Britain and the podcast Legends of News, which featured interviews with fellow journalists. The final episode was released in January. He also made a cameo appearance as a newsreader in the 2004 film Wimbledon, starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.
Murnaghan formed a bond with six-time Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy, who disclosed his own terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in October 2024. Murnaghan told the Telegraph: “He’s the oracle. He said to me: ‘No matter how bad it gets, you have to think of the treatment as helping you punch [the cancer] back.’”
Prostate cancer statistics and legacy
According to Prostate Cancer UK, about one in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, and the disease often has no early symptoms. Murnaghan’s funeral will be a small family ceremony, with a memorial service for friends and colleagues later this year at St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street, known for its association with journalists.
