TV stars send love to Bill Turnbull after diagnosis

Former presenter of BBC Breakfast has advanced prostate cancer

Bill Turnbull’s ex-colleagues sent their love to the former BBC Breakfast stalwart on-air, after the broadcaster revealed he has cancer.

The Classic FM host, 62, discovered that he had advanced prostate cancer which had also spread to the bone, a diagnosis which put him in a “dark chasm”.

But BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin told viewers Turnbull was now in “really good spirits”.

“I spoke to Bill yesterday,” she said. “Anybody who has watched him over the last 15 years knows he’s an immensely optimistic person.”

She added: “He was on really good form. He is undergoing treatment at the moment.

“We had a long conversation... We have a National Lottery syndicate and I phoned him to say we’d won £2.70.” She added: “He was really upbeat. “So best wishes to Bill and all his family as well. He’s probably watching so ‘morning”’.

The show posted a snap of Turnbull on his last day with his BBC Breakfast colleagues before he left the sofa in 2016.

Minchin’s co-host Dan Walker added: “He hopes to be around for some time yet, which is good news.”

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’.”

She tweeted: “Huge love to Bill Turnbull this morning. Practical, pragmatic and positive as he deals with prostate cancer. His message to others, get yourself checked.”

Radio 4 Today programme host Mishal Husain read out quotes from Turnbull from his Radio Times interview on dealing with the fact the diagnosis was not just a “bad dream”.

Her co-host Nick Robinson, who had lung cancer, said: “I saw Bill recently and he is putting about as a brave a face on it as ever.

“And you can hear him over on Classic FM still cheerfully playing the discs and talking us through the news as well.”

Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins tweeted that she was sending Turnbull a “big hug”.

Turnbull was diagnosed as he was recording The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer.

The much-loved broadcaster said he was “cross with myself” for having prided himself on not visiting a GP in four years.

His message to others, get yourself checked. SUSANNA REID

Picture: AP. Mr Turnbull is said to be in good spirits.