Dermot Murnaghan dies at London home following prostate cancer illness
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The veteran British television presenter Dermot Murnaghan has died at his home in north London at the age of 68, following a period of illness with prostate cancer, his family has confirmed. A familiar face on UK screens for decades, Murnaghan worked across ITV, BBC and Sky News, and was also known for hosting the quiz show Eggheads. His family said he "died peacefully with his family at his side" on Saturday morning, and thanked the medical teams who cared for him.
Murnaghan announced in June last year that he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, urging men over 50 and those in high-risk groups to get tested and to campaign for routine NHS screening. Over his career he announced the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, on ITV News in 1997 and broke the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death on Sky News in 2022. His family asked that those wishing to remember him support Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and North London Hospice, and Prostate Cancer UK described him as a passionate supporter whose work had a huge impact. A private family funeral will be held, with a memorial service for friends and colleagues to take place at St Bride's Church on Fleet Street later this year.
- Dermot Murnaghan has died aged 68 after prostate cancer illness.
- The ITV, BBC and Sky News presenter died peacefully at home.
- Family urge support for prostate cancer charities and hospice care.
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Dermot Murnaghan was one of Britain's best-known television news presenters, having fronted bulletins for ITV, the BBC and Sky News over a career spanning several decades. He was also a familiar face beyond news, presenting the long-running BBC quiz show Eggheads. Over the years he was the on-screen presence for several major national moments, including the announcement of Diana, Princess of Wales's death in 1997 and Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022.
In June last year, Murnaghan revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, and used his platform to encourage men over 50, and others in higher-risk groups, to get tested and to push for wider NHS screening for the disease. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men, and public awareness campaigns from high-profile figures who have the disease often have a significant effect on testing rates.
He has now died at his home in north London at the age of 68, with his family confirming the news and asking well-wishers to donate to prostate cancer charities and a local hospice rather than send flowers.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan dies after being ill with prostate cancer”.