Former BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull dies aged 66

The previous BBC Breakfast host Invoice Turnbull has died on the age of 66, his household has mentioned.

They mentioned in a press release: “Following a difficult and dedicated combat towards prostate most cancers, Invoice handed away peacefully at his dwelling in Suffolk surrounded by his household on 31 August.

“Invoice was identified in 2017 and has had excellent medical care from the Royal Marsden and Ipswich hospitals, St Elizabeth hospice and his GP. He was resolutely constructive and was massively buoyed by the assist he acquired from mates, colleagues, and messages from folks wishing him luck. It was a fantastic consolation to Invoice that so many extra males are actually testing earlier for this illness.”

Turnbull introduced BBC Breakfast for 15 years, stepping down in 2016 4 years after the present moved to Salford. He was additionally a daily presenter of Songs of Reward, and hosted BBC One daytime quizshow, Assume Tank. In 2016, he started internet hosting his personal radio present on Basic FM, which aired on Saturday and Sunday mornings and whose broadcasts he introduced till just lately. He was additionally a contestant on the 2005 collection of Strictly Come Dancing, ending in sixth place along with his associate Karen Hardy.

Turnbull introduced his prostate most cancers prognosis in 2018, stating that the illness had unfold to his bones. The invention of his sickness got here through the recording of a celeb version of The Nice British Bake Off – which was in help of Most cancers Analysis’s Stand As much as Most cancers. He went on to entrance a documentary for Channel 4 known as Invoice Turnbull: Staying Alive, through which he explored the usage of hashish oil for medicinal functions. He was additionally an envoy for Prostate Most cancers UK.

“Our buddy and ambassador Invoice Turnbull has died,” the charity mentioned by way of Twitter. “Invoice labored tirelessly to lift consciousness of prostate most cancers following his prognosis in 2017, and it was our privilege to work alongside him. Our ideas are with Invoice’s family members in the present day.”

Following the announcement of his prognosis – across the similar time that Stephen Fry revealed that he had undergone surgical procedure for prostate most cancers – NHS Chief Government Simon Stephens claimed that it had prompted an enormous spike in males attending most cancers screenings. It grew to become often known as the “Fry and Turnbull impact”.

Lately, Turnbull had visitor introduced episodes of the One Present and Good Morning Britain alongside Susanna Reid whom he had earlier labored with on BBC Breakfast.

“Invoice was the kindest, funniest, most beneficiant man within the enterprise. I really feel fortunate to have labored with him and he taught me the whole lot,” commented Reid by way of Twitter. “However above all, he was dedicated to his household and I'm heartbroken for them. RIP Invoice. We are going to miss you a lot.”

“So unhappy to be taught of the dying of Invoice Turnbull ... broadcaster and bee-keeper, extraordinaire,” mentioned veteran broadcaster Alastair Stewart on social media. “Invoice was a grasp of the old fashioned: knowledgeable, charming, collegiate, aggressive however ever courteous. Our ideas and prayers are along with his household and plenty of mates.

Turnbull’s love of bees had been his justification for leaving BBC Breakfast, as he claimed he had been “neglecting my bees for much too lengthy.” In 2011, he launched a memoir of his time as a beekeeper, The Unhealthy Beekeeper’s Membership. When interviewed by the Guardian concerning the guide, he mentioned that his biggest mistake in life was a time he didn't zip up his bee swimsuit correctly, and one in all his creatures snuck inside and stung him. “One half of my head swelled. Not a fantastic search for a Breakfast TV presenter,” he mentioned. “I needed to take a day without work for the Shrek-like signs to subside.”

“Invoice can be remembered by many as a exceptional broadcaster who introduced heat and humour into folks’s houses on BBC Breakfast and Basic FM,” mentioned his household. “He was additionally a faithful Wycombe Wanderers fan and an ever-aspiring beekeeper.

“Invoice was an exquisite husband and father to his three kids; his household and mates will miss how he all the time made them snort, and the generosity and love he shared with these round him.”

BBC director common Tim Davie additionally paid tribute.“Invoice was a a lot cherished and revered broadcaster and journalist – not simply by viewers however by all these fortunate sufficient to have labored with him,” he mentioned. “He all the time struck the precise tone, it doesn't matter what the story. Heat, smart, skilled and caring, he can be a lot missed by us all. Our ideas exit to his household and plenty of mates.”

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