Tributes paid to TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan

Tributes have been pouring in for Murnaghan.

“He was peerless in the presenter chair,” Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby posted on X.

“I loved being on set, or in Downing Street, with Dermot because he was always in absolute command but so cool too. He made handling the most high-pressure moments look effortless.”

Sky News presenter Anna Botting said he would “always be a legend of news”.

Jonathan Munro, interim CEO of BBC News, said: “Dermot was a true gentleman, and a brilliant journalist and broadcaster who was much-loved by viewers and by his BBC colleagues.”

“He was a consummate professional and someone who really had a natural ability to connect with audiences,” he added.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan said it was “very sad news”, adding that “Dermot was a terrific journalist, and a lovely man”.

Channel 4 News lead anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy said: “What a sad loss so young.”

“Dermot was a very fine journalist and presenter whose career spanned all the main British broadcasters. He was also very kind,” he said, referencing his charity work.

MP Andy Burnham, the likely incoming prime minister, said he was “so sad”, adding: “Dermot was an exceptional broadcaster and a truly decent person. I always enjoyed being in his company.”

Former Prime Minister David Cameron, who has also been treated for prostate cancer, said the presenter’s decision to highlight the importance of testing will have helped many men.

“I think it’s really important that Dermot came out in the way that he did – as in his broadcasting life, he did it with incredible clarity and just simplicity,” Lord Cameron told Sky News.

“And as someone who was so well-known to people through his broadcasting career over 40 years, it will have had a huge impact.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Murnaghan was a “broadcasting legend who we have lost far too soon”.

“His tireless advocacy, encouraging more men to get tested for prostate cancer, will no doubt have saved lives.”