News anchor Dermot Murnaghan dies aged 68
Veteran British news anchor Dermot Murnaghan has died aged 68, leaving a legacy defined not only by his coverage of landmark national events but also by his public advocacy for routine NHS prostate screening to reduce the economic and human toll of the disease.
Dermot Murnaghan died at his home in north London on Saturday after a period of illness with prostate cancer. He was 68. His family confirmed the news, stating he passed away peacefully with them at his side.
Murnaghan was a defining presence on British television for decades, serving as a main presenter on BBC Breakfast and the broadcaster's flagship evening news programmes before joining Sky News in 2007. He was the voice that broke the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death to Sky viewers in 2022, having previously announced the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, live on ITV News in 1997. He also hosted the quiz show Eggheads and appeared as a newsreader in the 2004 film Wimbledon.
Beyond broadcasting, his final chapter carried weight for European public health systems. After revealing a stage four prostate cancer diagnosis in June last year, Murnaghan explicitly called for systemic changes to healthcare infrastructure. “Needless to say, my message to all men over 50, in high-risk groups or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS,” he said.
That advocacy addressed a major structural challenge for health economies. Prostate Cancer UK notes that one in eight men will develop the disease, which frequently presents no symptoms in its early stages. Late-stage treatment places a substantially higher financial and operational burden on state-funded health services compared to early detection and intervention.
Amy Rylance of Prostate Cancer UK said Murnaghan was “a passionate and dedicated supporter of our charity”. She added that his work “had a huge impact on the hundreds of thousands of men affected by prostate cancer across the country.” His family has asked that anyone wishing to remember him support Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and North London Hospice.
Following his diagnosis, Murnaghan formed a bond over the disease with Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy, who disclosed his own terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in October 2024. Murnaghan told the Telegraph that Hoy advised him: “No matter how bad it gets, you have to think of the treatment as helping you punch [the cancer] back.” Murnaghan’s recent projects included the Channel 5 series Killer Britain and the Legends of News podcast, which released its final episode in January.
His funeral will be a private family ceremony. A memorial service for friends and colleagues will be held later this year at St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street, the historic church of the British press.
