BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull has died at the age of 66 after a "challenging' five year fight with prostate cancer.
The presenter, who appeared on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016, was diagnosed back in 2017 and went public with his battle the following year.
Bill's heartbroken wife Sarah, known as Sesi, released a statement read out on BBC Breakfast on Thursday, 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.
"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."
The family also spoke about Bill's brave cancer battle: "Bill was diagnosed in 2017 and has had outstanding medical care from the Royal Marsden and Ipswich Hospitals, St Elizabeth Hospice and his GP," they said.
“He was resolutely positive and was hugely buoyed by the support he received from friends, colleagues, and messages from people wishing him luck. It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease.
“Bill will be remembered by many as a remarkable broadcaster who brought warmth and humour into people’s homes on BBC Breakfast and Classic FM.
"He was also a devoted Wycombe Wanderers fan and an ever-aspiring beekeeper. Bill was a wonderful husband and father to his three children; his family and friends will miss how he always made them laugh, and the generosity and love he shared with those around him.
"Bill was a wonderful husband and father to his three children; his family and friends will miss how he always made them laugh, and the generosity and love he shared with those around 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.
Louise Minchin shared a series of snaps of her fondest memories with Bill on Instagram.
She wrote: "Sending all my love and thoughts to the family of my funny friend the legendary Bill Turnbull. He was a brilliant journalist, a stickler for accuracy, passionate about BBC Breakfast and our loyal audience, and a fabulously supportive and kind team-player.
"Most of all he was great fun. He made me laugh every day I worked with him and for that I will be forever grateful. RIP Bill and may the bees fly with you. Xxx".
Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid said she was 'heartbroken'.
Bill co-anchored alongside Susanna until 2014, when she left the show to join ITV.
"Bill was the kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business. I feel lucky to have worked with him and he taught me everything," she said.
"But above all, he was devoted to his family and I am heartbroken for them. RIP Bill. We will miss you so much."
Former BBC presenter Dan Walker remembered Bill 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."
Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: "Sadly Bill Turnbull has passed he was a great presenter and a nice guy R.I.P", while BBC broadcaster John Simpson described Bill Turnbull as ' charming' as well as being a 'sharp reporter'.
He tweeted: "Very sorry to hear of the death of my former colleague Bill Turnbull.
"He was charming and relaxed, and managed to combine being a clever, sharp reporter with sympathetic understanding as an interviewer. And he faced a vicious disease with great courage."
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."
BBC's Director-General Tim Davie said: "Bill was a much loved and respected broadcaster and journalist - not just by viewers but by all those lucky enough to have worked with him.
"He always struck the right tone, no matter what the story. Warm, wise, professional and caring, he will be much missed by us all. Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends.”
Monty Don wrote: "Very sad to learn of the death of Bill Turnbull. A thoroughly decent, good man. We shared an enthusiasm for bees and were both patrons of Bees for Development charity. My love and best wishes to his family."
BBC Breakfast sport presenter Mike Bushell said: "We are numb devastated by the passing of dear friend and former colleague #billturnbull @BBCBreakfast legend, my mentor 20 years ago, incredible talent to move from the harder news of the day to lighter stories with his clever wit warmth, our love, thoughts with his family."
Sian Williams, who spent more than a decade hosting BBC Breakfast, thanked Bill Turnbull 'for the laughter and friendship' on Twitter.
"Goodbye, Billy. The kindest, most generous of presenters. A wonderful friend for 30 years. And a man devoted to his family. All thoughts and love with them,” she wrote.
"You will be so, so missed – thank you for the laughter and friendship xx".
“RIP Bill Turnbull, such a kind, intelligent man, and a wonderful presenter. How very sad," wrote Richard Osman.
Weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a video showing himself and Bill Turnbull attempting yoga exercises on Good Morning Britain.
"Such sad news!" he Tweeted. "I had the absolute honour of working with Bill Turnbull a handful of times and as you’ll see below he was strong, flexible, professional and warm! RIP".
Classic FM's Managing Editor Philip Noyce said: "I’m deeply saddened by this news. Bill was an absolute treasure of Classic FM whose presence on and off the air will forever be missed. He was a very gifted journalist and presenter, and he loved radio and understood its ability to connect with people on a personal level – something he did with ease and aplomb.
"As well as being an outstanding broadcaster, Bill was a family man, a devoted father and husband, who loved the company of friends (including the four-legged variety), and was passionate about music, football, nature and his beloved bees.
"We have lost an exceptionally talented broadcaster, but most of all we’ve said goodbye to a fine man who will be dearly missed by us all at Classic FM, as well as his many listeners."
Bill 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 Bill announced he was taking a leave of absence from his show on Classic FM for health reasons.
Announcing the news on social media, Turnbull said he was taking "a leave of absence" from his weekend programme, which he had fronted for five years.
He started his broadcast career at Scotland’s Radio Clyde in 1978, joining the BBC as a reporter for the Today programme in 1986 before becoming a reporter for BBC’s Breakfast Time two years later.
In 1990, Turnbull became a correspondent for BBC News and reported from more than 30 countries, with notable stories he covered including the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the OJ Simpson trial.
After moving back to the UK, he became one of the main presenters on BBC News 24, as it was called back then.
Turnbull also worked for BBC Radio 5 Live, including presenting Weekend Breakfast.
He 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.
Recalling his most memorable moments from his breakfast career as he signed off from the red sofa in February 2016, he recalled “nearly getting into a fight with a ventriloquist’s dummy called Bob” and wearing a jumper made of dog hair.
“It was all right, it was just very warm and I couldn’t get the stuff off me for weeks,” he said.
He made numerous television appearances outside of BBC Breakfast, including as the presenter on BBC One’s Songs Of Praise.
In 2005, he competed as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing partnered with Karen Hardy, and was the seventh celebrity voted off the show.
Other TV appearances include ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Through The Keyhole; the BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind, Would I Lie To You?, Pointless Celebrities and Room 101, and he appeared in the dictionary corner for Channel 4′s Countdown.
In 2011 he appeared in the Doctor Who episode The Wedding Of River Song in which he played himself.
His passion for beekeeping led to the 2011 publication of his book The Bad Beekeepers Club, a humorous account of the ups and downs of an apiarist.
