Former BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull dies aged 66

He presented BBC Breakfast for 15 years

Broadcaster Bill Turnbull has died at the age of 66, his representatives have confirmed.

He had presented the BBC’s flagship morning news show for 15 years until his departure in 2016, when he moved to Classic FM.

In 2018, he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Before his stint on BBC Breakfast, Turnbull worked as a reporter on BBC Radio 4’s Today, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC News 24.

In 2005, he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, finishing in sixth place alongside partner Karen Hauer.

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull has died. He was 66.
He was loved by our viewers. He was loved by his colleagues.
Bill will always be remembered for his warmth, humour and being a brilliant journalist. pic.twitter.com/43h1conEQO

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) September 1, 2022

In November 2017, it was whilst filming a celebrity edition of The Great British Bake Off for the same channel in aid of Stand Up to Cancer that he found out he had the disease himself.

He later fronted a Channel 4 documentary called Bill Turnbull: Staying Alive, in which he explored the use of cannabis oil for medicinal purposes.

Following the news of his passing, a number of tributes have poured in from across the world of television.

TV critic and journalist Scott Bryan described Turnbull as a “breakfast television legend.”

Bill Turnbull has died at the age of 66.

A breakfast television legend. He will be missed.https://t.co/oi4JYt2v7G

— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) September 1, 2022

Former BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker said it was “an honour to sit on his sofa.”

Bill Turnbull was so kind and generous when I took over from him on BBC Breakfast. He was full of brilliant advice and it was clear just how loved he was by his colleagues and the audience. It was an honour to sit on his sofa.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) September 1, 2022

So very sad to hear this news. Bill was an absolute gent – respected and loved by everyone at #BBCBreakfast over many many years. Thinking of his lovely family. https://t.co/SFhpT8jGn6

— Jon Kay ☕️ (@jonkay01) September 1, 2022

A truly lovely, bright & decent human.

Bill Turnbull: Former BBC Breakfast presenter dies aged 66 https://t.co/Idp4mT2I3s

— Rob Rinder (@RobbieRinder) September 1, 2022

The news broke during the broadcast of Thursday morning’s BBC Breakfast show.

His former colleagues Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt paid an emotional tribute on BBC Breakfast.