SIAN’S BEEN ‘LIFELINE’ FOR PAL BILL DURING HIS CANCER FIGHT

BILL Turnbull is being supported through his cancer hell by former co-star Sian Williams.

The breakfast TV hosts have been a lifeline for each other during their 25 years of friendship.

Brave Bill, 63, has been battling against prostate cancer for almost two years.

Treatment has included nine months of gruelling chemotherapy.

Pal Sian, who also fought cancer, has been on hand throughout to help keep his spirits up.

The 54-year-old said: “He supported me when I had my cancer, and when he got it I tried to support him through his.

“It’s very important to help him. That’s what someone needs when they’re going through something like that.

“We’ve known each other for more than 25 years. That’s a long time.

“There’s a huge amount of affection between us.” Bill and Sian worked side by side presenting

BBC Breakfast every weekday morning for 12 years.

Their time together on the show cemented their friendship.

She added: “We have a lot of laughs together. Whatever we’ve had to deal with, there’s always been fun between us.”

Sian was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and had a double mastectomy.

Recalling her illness, she said: “My cancer was treatable and I had excellent care.

“My aunt died of cancer, my mum died of cancer. But I’m still here. I’m keeping going.”

Bill recently opened up about his ordeal in front of TV cameras for a Channel 4 documentary. In emotional footage he told how he has tried medicinal cannabis and adopted a healthier diet in a bid to beat his cancer. And his wife Sesi told how she has been amazed by his bravery.

Sian also agreed to be involved in the emotional programme. During filming she and Bill wept together.

She said: “It was important to be part of that documentary with him.

“He came to the Channel 5 studios where I film the news and we did a piece together for his show. We both said we weren’t going to cry. But we did.

“I was in tears and then I had to read the news 20 minutes later.”

Bill recently revealed the results of his treatment have been positive.

He said: “The chemo wasn’t pretty, but was fairly effective.

“It’s hugely important to stay positive – that’s part of the treatment really.

“You can’t let this disease get on top of you because psychology has a lot to do with it.”