Susanna Reid has led the tributes to her former BBC Breakfast colleague Bill Turnbull, who died on Wednesday (August 31) at the age of 66. The TV presenter and journalist died “peacefully” at home in Suffolk after a “challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer” which had been diagnosed in November 2017, his family said.
Turnbull joined BBC Breakfast in 2001 as a presenter alongside Sian Williams and they worked together until 2012, when she departed after the programme moved from London to Salford. He co-anchored alongside Susanna Reid, with the pair presenting together until 2014, when Reid left the show to join ITV. Turnbull’s other co-hosts included Louise Minchin and more.
In a tweet, Reid described him as “the kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business”. She said: “I feel lucky to have worked with him and he taught me everything. But above all, he was devoted to his family and I am heartbroken for them. RIP Bill. We will miss you so much.”
Read more: Bill Turnbull, former BBC Breakfast host, dies at 66
BBC Breakfast also paid tribute to Turnbull, tweeting: “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.”
Former BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern reacted to Bill Turnbull’s death, saying “We all loved him.” She tweeted: “Absolutely gutted that our Bill Turnbull has passed away.
"A fantastic broadcaster and a brilliant friend… I learnt so much from him. And we had some cracking arguments about how you should pronounce words like ‘poor’. We all loved him #RIPBill.”
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker remembered Bill Turnbull following his death at the age of 66, saying it was an “honour to sit on his sofa”. He tweeted: “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.”
Turnbull revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis in March 2018, saying he was diagnosed the previous November, and he detailed his treatment in a Channel 4 documentary called Staying Alive. In October last year he announced he was taking a leave of absence from his show on Classic FM for health reasons.
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