Bill Turnbull cancer: Charlotte Hawkins and Louise Minchin lead heartfelt messages to star
BILL TURNBULL has been inundated with good wishes on Twitter, including a message from fellow Classic FM star Charlotte Hawkins, after the former BBC Breakfast presenter confirmed he had been diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer.
Bill Turnbull cancer: Charlotte Hawkins and Louise Minchin lead stars’ tributes to TV star
Bill Turnbull's best BBC Breakfast moments
The former BBC Breakfast host revealed yesterday that he had been diagnosed with terminal prostate and bone cancer in December last year.
Following the news, the much-loved broadcaster was showered with kind words on Twitter from well-wishers.
Good Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins wrote on Twitter: “Sad news this morning that my fellow @ClassicFM presenter & former BBC Breakfast presenter @billtu has announced he has prostate & bone cancer. He’s now urging men to get any symptoms checked. Sending you a big hug Bill.”
Anybody who has watched him over the last 15 years knows he's an immensely optimistic person.
Meanwhile, current BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin reassured viewers that, despite the illness, Bill was in "really good spirits".
Admitting that she’d spoken to her former colleague yesterday, she continued: "Anybody who has watched him over the last 15 years knows he's an immensely optimistic person.
"He was on really good form. He is undergoing treatment at the moment.”
She continued: "He was really upbeat. So best wishes to Bill and all his family as well. He's probably watching so, ‘Morning’.”
Bill Turnbull cancer: Charlotte Hawkins shared her thoughts about the sad news on Twitter
Bill Turnbull cancer: Louise Minchin and Dan Walker spoke about the star during BBC Breakfast today
Bill, who confirmed the news on Twitter in an emotional message last night, rushed to show his gratitude from the kind messages.
Broadcaster Jeremy Vine penned: “Wishing my friend @billtu all the very best,” to which Bill replied: “Thanks Jezza. Much appreciated.”
Meanwhile, BBC News studio director Chris Cook told the star: “Sorry to hear this news Bill - glad you getting good care. Much love.”
“Cheers my love,” he wrote back.
Bill Turnbull cancer: The former BBC Breakfast host revealed he had the incurable disease yesterday
Bill Turnbull's farewell speech on BBC Breakfast
Bill Turnbull cancer: Charlotte Hawkins has shared her good wishes with the Classical FM presenter
Speaking about hearing the heart-breaking news, the father-of-three told the magazine: “Those first few days were probably the worst days of my life."
The presenter, who had been recording The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer when he was diagnosed, confessed that he wondered if the result would have been different if he’d visited his GP sooner.
During the Channel 4’s charity special, which airs tonight, Bill says: "I was getting pains in my legs and my hips particularly, and they would come and go and I thought this is old age.
Bill Turnbull cancer: The broadcaster confirmed the news on Twitter last night
"Eventually the pains got so bad I thought I better go and see my GP.”
Bill, who is currently receiving treatment for his incurable condition, went on to explain that a doctor had taken a precautionary blood test.
The journalist, whose consultant hopes he can live for another 18 years, is encouraging others to get tested after the disease spread to his legs, hips, pelvis and ribs.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer airs today at 8pm on Channel 4.