Former BBC, ITN & Sky News Presenter Dermot Murnaghan dies aged 68
Former Sky News, BBC and ITN presenter Dermot Murnaghan has died at the age of 68 following a battle with prostate cancer.
“It is with great sadness that the family of Dermot Murnaghan announces that he passed away at home in North London earlier this morning,” his family said in a statement posted to his X account. “He died peacefully with his family at his side.”
Dermot was a lead presenter for Sky News for 15 years until 2023. Before that, he presented the news for Channel 4, ITV and the BBC.
After revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis last year, he became an advocate for men to get tested.
“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.”
He started his career at local newspapers, before later moving to Channel 4 News and fronting ITV shows including The Big Story and the News at 10 from 1993 to 1997, and the channel’s Evening News and Nightly News from 1999 to 2001.
In 2002, he joined the BBC as one of the main hosts of BBC Breakfast, the Six O’Clock News and the Ten O’Clock News.
He left the BBC in 2007 to join Sky News, where he spent the next 15 years. Away from news broadcasting, Dermot hosted the popular quiz show Eggheads for 11 years from 2002.
He signed off his final Sky News broadcast in 2023 with a simple message “you stay classy planet earth”..
