Dermot Murnaghan Passes Away at Age 68, Exactly One Year after he Spoke Publicly about His Cancer

Veteran Broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan Dies at 68

Broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan of advanced veteran years died this morning, surrounded by the entire family at his residence in north London, as per family confirmation. Murnaghan was going through “a period of illness with prostate cancer.”

In the statement, they said that he revealed he was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer to the public. Murnaghan was “responding well” to chemotherapy and “feeling fit and well” during the treatment. In addition to his work at Sky News, where he was featured as one of the top 3 anchors for 15 seasons, Murnaghan also appeared on numerous programs of Channel 4, the BBC, and ITV, all for many years.

Those who have paid tribute to the legendary orator include fellow former Sky News presenter Anna Botting, who described him as “extremely fearless.”

Anna Botting Leads Tributes to Dermot Murnaghan

She said that what Dermot brought to this craft of journalism is “pinpoint accuracy.” “He was massively conscientious, which meant that he always got the detail right.

In addition, he had total fearlessness when it came to politicians, despite them often being very erudite and articulate. He had a real belief in the accountability of authority figures. Murnaghan worked his way up from the research department at Channel 4 to the top jobs in the industry. He has worked on the biggest stories of the day.

Of course, he was the person who took the lead in the Sky News coverage of the Queen’s death and was the one who broke the heart-wrenching news of the loss of Princess Di. At Sky alone, he covered the general election of 2019, the funeral of Prince Philip, and the US election in 2020. In 2023, he finally parted ways with Sky News after 16 great years with them.

Dermot Murnaghan’s Family Members Share Information on X

We’re devastated to announce the passing of Dermot Murnaghan, a remarkable man. Dermot’s journey with prostate cancer took him at home in North London this morning; he was surrounded by an ocean of love from his family. On behalf of his family, they want to express their gratitude to all those who took care of Dermot, especially the dedicated doctors and nursing staff, for providing such a wonderful, sensitive service during Dermot’s illness. The doctors and other hospital staff have shown incredible compassion towards Dermot during his time of need.

Also, for the fantastic outpouring of good wishes he received following his diagnosis with stage 4 prostate cancer and his tireless campaigning and fundraising, which helped raise awareness of the importance of screening for prostate cancer and other conditions. As he wished, his funeral will be a small family affair.
A memorial service for friends and colleagues is to be held later this year at St. Bride’s Church, Fleet Street (the Journalists’ Church).”

He Urged Men to Get Tested Before His Death

The statement further added, “The family requests that anyone wishing to remember him consider supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research, and North London Hospice so that others may benefit from the research and care he received.” The married father of four wrote this on his social media account, X, last June when he revealed his shocking diagnosis. Dermot O’Leary stated, “Some personal news… I’ve been diagnosed with Stage IV advanced prostate cancer.” He announced the devastating news.
He continued his statement on X by urging people to get regular prostate tests done.
“I would like to think that my message to all men over 50, in high-risk categories, or presenting with any symptoms will be to get tested and campaign for prostate screening to be available by the NHS,” he urged.
Dermot O’Leary left Sky News last month after years of hosting the breakfast show. He was given a standing ovation by his colleagues as he delivered his parting remarks during his final broadcast. Dermot paid emotional tributes to his friends and family in his farewell speech before saying, “Finally, as the saying goes, some news about me.

Dermot Murnaghan Thanked Viewers in Final Sky News Broadcast

“After 15 years, this is my final program for Sky News, the best organization in the UK, which you already know for its coverage and analysis and also for its dedicated, inventive, hardworking staff, many of whom I have the pleasure of calling my friends.

“And I would like to thank you all for your support and for putting up with me during the elections, the resignation of prime ministers, and the death of a king, but above all, my thanks go out to you, the viewers.”

Prior to joining Sky News, he presented ITV’s News at Ten and the BBC Ten O’Clock News—now known as BBC News at Ten—and Channel 4 News. He also presented the BBC’s quiz program Eggheads and Sky News at Ten and the talk show Murnaghan before his final role as a newsreader on Sky News Tonight. The news presenter married his wife, Maria Keegan, in 1989 in Camden.

Dermot Murnaghan Overcame Childhood Struggles

They are currently residing in the northern part of London and have been there for several years now. They have four children: Kitty (32), Ollie (27), Alice (26), and Jack (23). He was born on Christmas Day, 1957, in Barnstable, Devon, to an Irish father and grew up in York; then in Armagh, Newry, as the Troubles began; and eventually in Hollywood, Co. Down. Too English to be accepted at his new Catholic school and too Catholic to be accepted by the local Protestant community.

“I fell out of school because it was the 1960s and the Troubles were erupting, and I had a thick Yorkshire accent; I sounded like a young Geoffrey Boycott,” he said. “I was in a Catholic school, and some of the receptions were a bit hostile.
We used to get stones thrown at us by the Protestant estate on the way home, and I remember thinking I could take a bashing from one or the other, but not both.

Dermot Reflected on His Journey Into Journalism

“His inspiration came from television news,” said the presenter, recalling his early years and how he found his passion for journalism. “I used to watch the early moon landings with a fascination, and I remember being utterly enthralled by the first-ever moon shots and how Alastair Burnett and his team were unravelling the mystery of the troubled Apollo 13. They were the first rolling news anchors, and, in many ways, they paved the way for what the show has become today.”
Following this, he continued his studies at the University of Essex and then City University, where he studied journalism. In spite of the controversy over his name, he was proud to have Irish roots.
“When I crossed over in the mid-70s, it was not something you advertised, particularly if you were from the northern part of the country, as I was
“All my formative years were spent in the Troubles. My father sent me back to Northern Ireland to finish my school exams, and I stayed there until I went to university in 1977, getting as far away from Northern Ireland as possible at that time.”

Dermot Murnaghan Built a Celebrated Broadcasting Career

“When I broke into television, someone said to me: ‘Jesus, you will never get anywhere with a Scrabble hand of a name like that.’ He was working for the Coventry Telegraph. He started off there myself before moving on to Channel 4 as a researcher and reporter for The Business Programme, followed by presenter of Channel 4 Daily. I was never the type to settle down. I moved to ITV in 1993 and subsequently the BBC and Sky. I became a huge name in the news industry at ITN’s News at Ten, and I fronted Sky News until 2007.”