Newsreader Dermot Murnaghan today revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
The former Sky News and BBC broadcaster has said he is ‘feeling well’ despite the devastating news.
Stage 4 is the most advanced stage cancer, meaning cancerous cells have spread beyond the prostate and into other areas of the body. In these cases it is generally not curable, but it can treatable.
The 67-year-old, who has been married to his wife Maria for almost 36 years and has four children, revealed his diagnosis on Twitter this afternoon.
‘I’ve been diagnosed with Stage IV advanced prostate cancer I’m fortunate to have a simply outstanding medical team looking after me, who I can’t thank enough – they are administering the best possible care with expertise, compassion and sensitivity’, he wrote.
‘I’m responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well. I’m blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends’.
Dermot will be taking part in a charity cycle event in support of Sir Chris Hoy, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2023. In his case, the cancer is terminal.
Mr Murnaghan said: ‘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.
‘Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms’.
Dermot left Sky after more than 15 years in 2023.
Before joining Sky News, Murnaghan presented ITV’s News At Ten and the BBC Ten O’Clock News – now known as BBC News At Ten – as well as Channel 4 News.
Murnaghan has also hosted the BBC’s quiz programme Eggheads.
While at Sky News he was the journalist who announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace as well as numerous elections in the UK and the US.
He began his career as a trainee reporter at local newspapers before joining Channel 4 as a researcher. He later became a reporter for the broadcaster’s The Business Programme.
After a brief stint in Switzerland to present the European Business Channel, Mr Murnaghan returned to Britain to host the business segments on The Channel 4 Daily, a new breakfast show by Channel 4.
He then made the move to ITV in the early 1990s, where in 1997 he broke the news of the death of Princess Diana.
The veteran journalist switched broadcasters again in the early 2000s, joining BBC Breakfast as one of the lead presenters from 2002 to 2007.
He was also a regular fixture on the six o’clock and ten o’clock news.
He moved to Sky News in October 2007, where he has remained until his final show
