You’re so brave Bill...TV pals send love to cancer sufferer Turnbull
MESSAGES of goodwill flooded in for Bill Turnbull yesterday after the former BBC presenter revealed he has prostate cancer.
Now a Classic FM host, Turnbull, 62, has an advanced form of the disease which has also spread to his bones, a diagnosis which puts him in a “dark chasm”.
Current BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin told viewers: “I spoke to Bill yesterday. Anybody who has watched him over the last 15 years knows he’s an immensely optimistic person.
“He was on really good form. He was really upbeat. So best wishes to Bill and all his family as well. He’s probably watching so... ‘morning’.”
Susanna Reid, who also worked with Turnbull on BBC Breakfast, said on Good Morning Britain: “Loads of love to you Bill, and a really positive message to come out of your experience...‘go to the doctor get the test’.”
Excellent
Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine tweeted: “Wishing my friend Bill Turnbull all the very best.”
And Davina McCall tweeted: “Lovely Bill Turnbull... His message is clear...get checked...”
Radio 4 Today’s Nick Robinson, who has recovered from lung cancer, said: “I saw Bill recently and he is putting about as brave a face on it as ever. And you can hear him over on Classic FM still cheerfully playing the discs.”
Turnbull was diagnosed as he was recording The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer. Yesterday, he told fans on Twitter: “I was diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer last November. I’m receiving excellent treatment including chemotherapy at Royal Marsden NHS and am immensely grateful for the support I’ve had. I am in good spirits and hope to be around for some time yet.” The disease has spread to his legs, hips, pelvis and ribs. But his consultant hopes he can live for another 18 years.
Turnbull’s interview comes after comic Stephen Fry revealed that he recently had surgery for prostate cancer.
Other celebrities to have battled the disease are composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, and actors Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller.
For information call Prostate Cancer UK on 0800 074 8383.