BBC Breakfast star Dermot Murnaghan has shared an update on his stage four cancer battle in a surprise TV return.
The former star of the programme made an unexpected return to the red sofa in order to deliver an update on his health.
In a stark confession, the journalist, who also presented Eggheads, admitted of his cancer battle: “It’s bad.”
Dermot, 67, revealed earlier this year he had been diagnosed with “incurable” prostate cancer and this morning he opened up on the disease with show hosts, Jon Kay and Sally Nugent.
Welcoming him to the show, Jon said: “Well, it’s great to have you back here, sitting on the red sofa.
“Lots of our viewers will be delighted to see you back and will have been worried about you for the last few months after hearing about the prostate cancer.
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“How are you doing? You look really well.”
Dermot then said to the host: “Yeah, I’m doing good. I’m stage four, very clear about that.
“At this point it’s incurable, but it’s not untreatable and that’s the big point you’ve got to make to people.
“There’s so, so many, millions of people, affected by stage four cancer of various kinds in the United Kingdom at the moment, listening to this. Their families I’m including as well.
“It isn’t game over. It’s bad, but there are great treatments out there, there are great professionals out there looking after people. And they’re looking after me. So, yeah, you can see I’m feeling good and doing good.”
He then went on to describe how his “focus” had shifted since undergoing treatment to help with his condition.
The TV presenter said on the programme: “Well, it changes your focus. Your focus, mentally first of all, your priorities, it’s very clear what your priorities are.
“Your own health, of course, and the effect for so many people who are in this position, your family.
“It affects so many people who may or may not have anything wrong with them. But that’s who it affects. So, your focus changes and you get your priorities right, which are family first.”
Dermot first revealed his cancer diagnosis in June of this year.
The married dad-of-four wrote on X: “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.
“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.”
As well as his time on BBC Breakfast, he is well known for fronting coverage of Sky News for 16 years until leaving the station in 2023.
He started his career as a researcher at Channel 4, and climbed the ladder to the top of his field.
Dermot enjoyed an incredible career which has seen him broadcast on all the major news channels and covered some of the biggest stories of his time.
He led Sky News’s coverage of the Queen’s passing and also broke the devastating news of Princess Di‘s death.
During his time, he also covered the 2019 general election, the funeral of Prince Philip and the 2020 US presidential election.
