Dermot Murnaghan, former presenter British Broadcasting Corporation He died at the age of 68 after a “period of prostate cancer,” his family reported.
The journalist was a well-known figure on British television and was also recognized for his role as presenter of quiz show Eggheads.
Before joining Sky in 2007, Munaghan was the main presenter of BBC Breakfast and a regular presenter of the broadcaster’s six and ten o’clock news programmes.
He was the first to announce his death DianaPrincess Waleson ITV News Live in 1997, and he also reported on the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sky News in 2022.
When Dermot Murnaghan opens up about his illness
Last June, Murnaghan revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. He said at the time: “It goes without saying that my message to all men over the age of 50, whether they are at risk or symptomatic, is to get yourself tested and to carry out routine NHS prostate screening campaigns.”
A statement from the Dermot Murnaghan family
In a statement released on Saturday, Dermot Mulnahan’s family expressed their sadness, saying: “It is with great sadness that the family of Dermot Mulnahan announce that he passed away at his home in north London earlier this morning. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.”
“Dermot’s family would like to thank the medical team who cared for Dermot with such sensitivity and extraordinary compassion during his illness.”
In a statement, the family urged “anyone who wishes to remember him to consider supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and the North London Hospice so that others can benefit from the research and care he received”.
Who is Dermot Murnaghan? Looking back on his career
Murnaghan’s recent work includes Channel 5’s true crime documentary series Killers UK and the podcast News Legends, in which he has held discussions with other high-profile journalists. The final episode was released in January.
He had a brief role as a newsreader in the 2004 film Wimbledon, starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.
Murnaghan’s funeral will be an intimate family gathering. A memorial service for friends and colleagues is due to be held later this year at St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street, which is renowned for its links with journalists.
Dermot Murnaghan’s wife and children
Dermot’s husband Maria Keegan is also a journalist and producer.
The couple exchanged vows in a ceremony in Camden in 1989 and have been married for 37 years.
Although they maintain a degree of privacy about their personal lives, Dermot has occasionally shared insights into their relationship over the years.
According to The Sun, Dermot and Maria are parents to four adult children: daughters Kitty, Molly and Alice, and son Jack.
Their eldest child Kitty, 33, works in the technology industry in Berlin, while their second child Molly, 28, works in public relations in London.
Alice, 26, is an environmentalist in Ireland and Jack, 23, works as a football coach in Spain.
