BBC Breakfast host Bill Turnbull has died at the age of 66, his family has confirmed.

"Following a challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Suffolk surrounded by his family on Wednesday, 31st August," they said in a statement.

They continued: “Bill was diagnosed in 2017 and has had outstanding medical care from the Royal Marsden and Ipswich Hospitals, St Elizabeth Hospice and his GP.

"He was resolutely positive and was hugely buoyed by the support he received from friends, colleagues, and messages from people wishing him luck. It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease.

“Bill will be remembered by many as a remarkable broadcaster who brought warmth and humour into people’s homes on BBC Breakfast and Classic FM. He was also a devoted Wycombe Wanderers fan and an ever-aspiring beekeeper."

Describing Bill as a "wonderful husband and father to his three children," the statement concluded that he always made his family and friends laugh.

"And the generosity and love he shared with those around him," his family added.

Celebrity friends and fans have since flocked to social media to share their heartbreak over the news as Robert Rinder wrote on Twitter: "A truly lovely, bright & decent human."

Fellow BBC colleague Rory Cellan-Jones shared: "Very sad to hear about Bill Turnbull. Great broadcaster, nice man".

As another wrote: "So sad about Bill Turnbull. Worked with him on Breakfast and he was so warm and friendly which counts for a great deal when you are new somewhere. He was also an exceptional broadcaster. RIP Bill."

Before BBC Breakfast, Bill worked as a reporter on BBC Radio 4's Today, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC News 24.

He joined the BBC Breakfast team in 2001, where he presented alongside Sian Williams, Susanna Reid, Kate Silverton, Natasha Kaplinsky and Louise Minchin. He then joined Classic FM in 2016 and continued to present until recently.

He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing, where he competed with Karen Hauer and finished in fifth place. And he filmed for The Great British Bake Off – where he found out he had the disease.

After he was diagnosed with cancer, he starred in his own documentary titled Bill Turnbull: Staying Alive. In it, he explored the use of cannabis oil for medical purposes.

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