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Death and diagnosis
Dermot Murnaghan, the former Sky News anchor and British television presenter, has died aged 68 after a period of illness with prostate cancer, his 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 at the age of 68 following a period of illness with prostate cancer.”
In a statement published on his X profile, his family said: "He died peacefully with his family at his side."
The family said the broadcaster passed away at home in North London earlier this morning "following a period of illness with prostate cancer" and that the funeral would be a small family ceremony.
They also said a memorial service for friends and colleagues would follow at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street later this year, and requested support for Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and North London Hospice.
Murnaghan had announced his "incurable but it’s not untreatable" prostate cancer diagnosis last year and urged men in high-risk groups to get themselves checked, admitting he delayed testing "because I felt fine."
Tributes from broadcasters
Tributes poured in from across British broadcasting and politics after Murnaghan’s death, including Sky’s royal commentator Alastair Bruce and ITV’s Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid.
Reid, who shared a selfie with Murnaghan on Instagram, called it "utterly devastating news" as she remembered the "legendary news journalist and presenter" and recalled the "sheer pleasure of presenting with Dermot at BBC Breakfast".
Bruce, who is a commentator for Sky News, said his time working alongside Murnaghan was "an experience that brought affirmation and assurance" and added: "We will miss his steady measure at the microphone."
BBC Radio 4 Today programme presenter Nick Robinson praised Murnaghan as "someone you instinctively trusted – clever, warm and witty," while journalist Liam Halligan remembered him as "a brilliant broadcaster – and huge character."
Labour leader Andy Burnham said he was "so sad" and added: "Dermot was an exceptional broadcaster and a truly decent person. I always enjoyed being in his company."
Legacy and campaigns
Murnaghan’s death also renewed attention on his public campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer screening after he disclosed his diagnosis and urged men to get tested.
“Speaking on BBC Breakfast last November, the broadcaster urged men in high-risk groups to get themselves checked for prostate cancer, as he admitted he delayed getting tested “because I felt fine”.”
The family statement said they wanted people who wished to remember him to consider supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and North London Hospice so others could benefit from the research and care he received.
In a separate account of his diagnosis and advocacy, the London Evening Standard said he urged men in high-risk groups to get themselves checked for prostate cancer and admitted he delayed getting tested "because I felt fine".
The Guardian’s obituary described how, after leaving Sky News in 2023, Murnaghan continued to challenge those in power with questions that mattered, including his approach to interviews and his role in breaking major news stories.
It also recalled that he broke the news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales to ITV viewers in 1997, receiving a phone call at 1am that said: "Get here as quickly as possible. Something has happened to Princess Diana."
