Dermot Murnaghan passed away at his home on July 11 after a battle with prostate cancer - with several colleagues and politicians paying tribute to the veteran broadcaster21:22, 11 Jul 2026Tributes have been pouring in for Dermot Murnaghan after the veteran broadcaster died aged 68.‌The journalist's family said in a statement that he passed away at his North London home on Saturday morning. Dermot's wife, Maria Keegan, and their children Kitty, Molly, Alice, and Jack, also thanked the medical teams who took care of him since he was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer last year.‌Several people, including politicians, former colleagues and fellow broadcasters have paid tribute to the TV presenter, praising him for being open about his diagnosis. Former prime minister David Cameron said Dermot's openness "will have had a huge impact" by encouraging others to get checked.‌Cameron said: "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. And as someone who was so well known to people through his broadcasting career over 40 years, it will have had a huge impact."He will have saved people's lives because people will have heard him say that, they would have thought, 'Okay I won't put off the PSA test, I'll go and ask for one, I'll ask my doctor'."‌Echoing the former PM's comments, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Dermot was a "broadcasting legend who we have lost far too soon", adding: "His tireless advocacy, encouraging more men to get tested for prostate cancer, will no doubt have saved lives."MP Andy Burnham, who is likely to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister, said he felt "so sad" to learn of the presenter's death as he shared: "Dermot was an exceptional broadcaster and a truly decent person. I always enjoyed being in his company."Broadcaster Piers Morgan described Dermot as "a terrific journalist, and a lovely man", while Jonathan Munro, interim CEO of BBC News said he "was a consummate professional and someone who really had a natural ability to connect with audiences."‌John Riley, the former head of Sky News, said: "He didn't say very much, but when he did chat, what he said was golden, insightful, and clear, and on the money. And what I really liked about him - which is why he was a good journalist - is he didn't like authority and he wasn't shy of showing it."Describing the late journalist as a "wonderful colleague" who "had the perfect energy" for being a presenter, Sky News executive editor Jonathan Levy said Dermot "means something to all of the broadcast newsrooms in the UK." Sky News presenter Mark Austin, who worked with Dermot at ITN, praised his "composure" and his ability to stay "very calm in those big moments" when "big stories break".‌Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby posted on X: "Am deeply saddened to hear Dermot has died. He was peerless in the presenter chair, as sharp as a tack, and hugely charismatic - always with a ready smile and a twinkly eye. 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. It was my great privilege to sit alongside Dermot as he anchored Sky News's 2019 Brexit election overnight show - a career highlight. It was devastating to learn about Dermot's diagnosis last year."That he went onto became an ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research to raise awareness and funding for research, spoke to the man he was and only made me admire him even more. I was very fortunate to have worked with him and learnt from him. My deepest condolences to Dermot's family."‌Sky's chief executive, Dana Strong, said Dermot "was one of the great British news anchors and journalists of his generation" as she added: "Audiences tuned in to see him at Breakfast, Lunchtime and on the Evening News, across Channel 4, ITV, the BBC and at Sky News. In television news, Dermot could - and did - do it all."Millions learned of the moments that made history from Dermot. He reported to the nation news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and of Princess Diana. He kept us informed as general election results unfolded here and in America, and he guided viewers through the consequential Brexit votes in the House of Commons."‌Announcing Dermot's death this morning, his family said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that the family of Dermot Murnaghan announces that he passed away at home in North London earlier this morning (11th July) at the age of 68 following a period of illness with prostate cancer. He died peacefully with his family at his side."The family wish to thank the medical teams who cared for Dermot with such sensitivity and extraordinary compassion throughout his illness. Also, for the many, many kind messages of goodwill that he received over the last year since his diagnosis of Stage IV prostate cancer and his subsequent campaigning to raise awareness for screening programmes for the disease.‌"In accordance with his wishes, the funeral will be a small family ceremony. A memorial service for friends and colleagues will follow at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street (the Journalists' Church) later this year. The family request that anyone wishing to remember him considers supporting Prostate Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer Research and North London Hospice so that others may benefit from the research and care he received."The former BBC, ITV and Sky News presenter announced his diagnosis last summer, sharing that he was responding positively to treatment while urging men to be aware of the disease and get tested. At the time, he said: "For years I thought 'that will do me'. I'm getting tested basically once a year or every couple of years."It never occurred to me that they weren't testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and I never went to my GP because I was getting other tests privately through the production company. So that's how I fell through the gaps and that's how I had a massive wake-up call and want to share the message."Article continues belowUrging men to get checked, he added: "Needless to say my message to all men over 50, in high risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS. Early detection is crucial."Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.