BBC Breakfast today saw Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt fight back tears as they spoke about their former co-star Bill Turnbull.
Bill passed away yesterday aged 66 following a five-year battle with prostate cancer.
Naga and Charlie pay tribute to Bill on BBC Breakfast today
During today’s show, Charlie and Naga announced the sad news that Bill had passed away.
“Welcome back. We have some sad news to bring you now,” Charlie said.
“Our former colleague, former Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull has died,” he continued.
“He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017.”
Naga then read a statement from Bill’s wife, Sesi [Sarah].
It read: “Our lovely Billy died yesterday evening almost five years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.”
BBC Breakfast today
Naga then continued to read out Sarah’s statement.
“The last week of his life was very special – as the whole family was with him and we shared some wonderful moments,” it read.
Naga continued, saying: “She goes on to say even though he was often in pain, Bill was dignified and brave throughout and he was his usual determined self right until the very end. Billy made us laugh every day and we are immensely proud of him.”
“Of course all of us here, sending love and support to Bill’s family, Sesi his wife, and I think today after we get over the shock of this we will start remembering the really fun things Bill did, like when I presented with him his energy was amazing,” she added.
She then went on to say that Bill threw “everything” at BBC Breakfast every day.
Naga continued, saying that Bill was a “brilliant” journalist.
“He loved this programme and he loved serving you, the audience,” she continued.
Fighting back tears, she said: “So I’m sure you will miss him, but we certainly will too.”
Charlie then had a few choice words to say about Bill too.
“He was a wise head, he didn’t take himself too seriously when he sat here which is a great combination,” he said.
Read more: Bill Turnbull’s heartbreaking confession about dying before his sad death
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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