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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

The One Show's Alex Jones pays tribute to 'kind' Bill Turnbull as presenter dies

The One Show paid tribute to late BBC presenter Bill Turnbull during the latest episode, following the news of his death.

BBC Breakfast favourite Bill passed away on Wednesday, aged 66, following a battle with prostate cancer.

The presenter, who appeared on the show from 2001 until 2016, was diagnosed back in 2017 and went public with his battle the following year.

A year prior to this, Bill co-hosted The One Show as a guest host for three episodes with Alex Jones.

Alex paid tribute to the "kind" and "generous" broadcaster during Thursday's episode, following his family confirming he had died on Wednesday at home.

Alex Jones and Ronan Keating reacted to the death of former BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull (BBC)

Alex told viewers: "Now you may have heard the news today that broadcaster Bill Turnbull has sadly died at the age of 66, from prostate cancer, a cause he raised a huge amount of awareness for over the last few years.

"He was best known of course for presenting BBC Breakfast for 15 years and we loved seeing him have a great laugh on Strictly Come Dancing.

"He was fab. I worked alongside Bill when he co-hosted this show and he was kind, loads of fun, generous and brilliant to work with. He will be hugely missed.

The One Show paid tribute to late BBC presenter Bill Turnbull during the latest episode (BBC)

"Our thoughts of course are with his family, his friends and his colleagues."

The show then encouraged viewers to get in contact with their own messages about Bill, and stories of meeting the TV favourite.

Bill's heartbroken wife Sarah, known as Sesi, released a statement read out on BBC Breakfast on Thursday morning, paying tribute to Bill as they announced he had passed away peacefully at his home in Suffolk on Wednesday.

An emotional Naga Munchetty read: "Our lovely Billy died yesterday evening. Almost five years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

BBC Breakfast favourite Bill passed away on Wednesday, aged 66 (BBC)

"The last week of his life was very special as the whole family was with him and they shared some wonderful moments.

"Although Bill was often in pain, he was dignified and brave throughout and he was his usual determined self right until the very end. He made us laugh everyday. We are immensely proud of him. He was the heart of our family. It's hard to imagine life without him."

Bill is survived by his wife Sarah and three children sons Henry, 33, and Will, 32, and daughter Flora, 31.

After news of his death was announced, tributes flooded in from those in the television industry who knew him, with the BBC Breakfast announcing they will air a special programme in Bill's honour on Friday.

The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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