The Good Morning Britain presenter issued an update after the tragic news of a Hollywood star's death.07:50, 13 Jul 2026Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway shared a breaking news update.‌The host joined Susanna Reid and Ed Balls in the ITV daytime studio, running through the day's headlines when she announced the death of a Hollywood star.‌"In breaking news in the last few minutes, the family of actor Sam Neill have confirmed that he's died," Kate began.‌She read the statement shared from his loved ones, saying: "They said it was with immense sadness that the extended family of Sam Neill share the news of his passing in Sydney, Australia."The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free."‌Kate went on to add: "The 78-year-old was best known for his roles in Jurassic Park, Event Horizon and his award-winning role, of course, in The Piano."The award-winning star, who also held roles in the likes of Peaky Blinders and Merlin, had revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with cancer.At the time, he described it as "a ferocious type of aggressive" non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He later shared updates as he went through treatment, and responded to fans' concerns.‌He told ABC’s Australian Story in October 2023: "I’m not in any way frightened of dying. That doesn’t worry me. It’s never worried me from the beginning, but I would be annoyed."I’d be annoyed because there are things I still want to do. Very irritating, dying. But I’m not afraid of it."‌He also shared in a video message directly to fans: "I made a passing remark that the treatment I’m on, which has me in remission, will inevitably fail one day."It’s nothing to worry about. I’m in remission and plan to be in remission for many years to come."He went on: "At such time as it does fail, we’ll try something else. There are all sorts of things that are happening with cancer these days. It’s a whole new ball game."‌Sam concluded: "So please stop worrying, I’m getting a lot of messages on social media and from friends. Sorry to worry everybody – it’s all good, it’s all fine. It’s a beautiful day, I’m off to work."However, just months ago, in April, Sam announced he was cancer-free, saying: "We’ve just had a scan just now and there is no cancer in my body, that’s an extraordinary thing."‌The statement from Sam's family read: "It is with immense sadness that the whānau [extended family] of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia."Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free.Article continues below"They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care."More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.