Former Sky presenter Dermot Murnaghan, 67, diagnosed with ‘advanced’ stage 4 prostate cancer
He praised the 'outstanding' medical team caring for him.
Dermot Murnaghan, a former Sky News presenter, has revealed he has stage 4 prostate cancer.
The broadcaster joined Sky in 2007 and presented a variety of news programmes over the years before leaving in February 2023.
He has also hosted on BBC News, Channel 4, and Independent Television News. Between 2003 and 2014, he hosted the quiz show Eggheads before Jeremy Vine took over.
Taking to social media this morning, the 67-year-old wrote: ‘Some personal news……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 continued: 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.
‘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.
Murnaghan hosted Eggheads before Jeremy Vine’s takeover (Picture: 12 Yard Productions) He also had a stint as a main presenter on BBC Breakfast (Picture: BBC/Jeff Overs)‘Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms. Details @ProstateUK @PCR_News.’
Murnaghan concluded by saying he hopes to take part in Sir Chris Hoy’s charity bike ride in Glasgow in September, asking his followers to donate and support if possible.
The Olympic cyclist, 49, also has prostate cancer, having shared in October last year that his condition was terminal and he had two to four years to live.
After making his announcement, Murnaghan was flooded with kind messages, replying to fans to say he ‘can’t take this lying down’ and he is ‘following Sir Chris’s example’.
‘I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending you love and all the best for your healing journey. I’ve always loved your work. Thank you for raising awareness and thinking of others at this difficult personal time’, wrote @KathleenBeedles.
‘Ah thanks Kathleen, I feel that all the enormous support I’m getting is a big part of that journey’, the journalist replied.
He has been married to wife Maria Keegan since 1989, and they have four kids (Picture: Joanne Davidson/REX/Shutterstock) Symptoms of prostate cancerMost men who have prostate cancer do not display any symptoms, which is why knowing the risks is important.
You should get checked out if you have:
difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder a weak flow when you urinate a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly dribbling urine after you finish urinating needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toiletInfo taken from Prostate Cancer UK.
‘All I can do is cross everything and wish you all the very best, Dermot. You sound like you’re facing this with positivity / not taking this lying down. Here’s hoping your team can crack this for you’, added @GregScottTV.
Murnaghan wrote back: ‘Thanks Greg – you’re right – mental attitude and positivity is a huge part of it – as so many thousands of families know.’
The Devon-born media personality began his career in journalism as a trainee reporter for local newspapers before joining Channel 4 as a researcher and later a reporter on The Business Programme.
After a brief stint working in Switzerland, he moved to the UK in 1989, fronting business segments on The Channel 4 Daily and later becoming the main presenter.
He also worked as a relief presenter when regular C4 News host Jon Snow was unavailable.
In subsequent years, he hosted ITV’s Lunchtime News and the News at Ten, breaking the news of Princess Diana’s death in 1997.
The broadcaster is not taking his cancer diagnosis ‘lying down’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock) Murnaghan has reported on some of history’s biggest events, including the deaths of Princess Diana and the Queen (Picture: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Sky News)From 2002 to 2007, Murnaghan was a main presenter of BBC Breakfast and a regular stand-in on the BBC Six O’Clock News and BBC Ten O’Clock News.
After leaving the BBC, he joined Sky, where he remained for 16 years. His most notable moments included overnight coverage of the 2019 election and announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Sky was the first television news organisation to report it.
Murnaghan has been married to Maria Keegan since August 1989, and they have four children. He and his wife live together in North London.
Macmillan cancer supportIf you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
