Bill Turnbull has revealed the moment he told his three children that he is suffering from incurable prostate cancer. The former BBC Breakfast presenter, who shares two sons Henry and Will and one daughter Fiona with his wife Sarah, revealed: "I remember my daughter came and I said, 'Well, I've got to tell you – I've got cancer'. And I had to tell my sons on the phone... we all cried."
Bill was speaking at the end of his appearance on Celebrity Great British Bake Off, which was filmed for Stand Up To Cancer. During the tear-jerking segment, the 62-year-old said: "I was getting pain in my legs and in my hips particularly, and I thought, 'This is old age'. Eventually the pain got so bad I thought I'd better go see my GP. He said, 'I'm just going to give you a blood test, an MOT if you like, to check a few things out'. The next morning, he called me and asked me in pretty quickly. And the doctor said, 'It's fairly clear you have advanced prostate cancer and it's spread to the bone."
Bill told his sons over the phone: 'We all cried'
The TV star revealed that he is undergoing chemotherapy but that "if it was all to end tomorrow I would not feel hard done by". Bill noted: "I've had an amazing life, I'm incredibly lucky and if one thing comes out of this is that if you know your time is limited you appreciate the world around you so much more and particularly the love of my family."
Bill leaves BBC Breakfast after 15 years
Viewers took to Twitter in their droves to express their sadness following Bill's emotional video. The popular presenter later thanked fans for their support, tweeting: "Totally overwhelmed by the love I've had on here today, and deeply moved – to tears on occasion (well I am a bit of a softy). Thank you so much to everyone who's been in touch, it really means a lot."
The TV star appeared on Great British Bake Off
Bill confirmed his cancer battle on Monday, revealing that he was diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer last November. He tweeted: "I am in good spirits and hope to be around for some time yet. Please spare a thought though for the hundreds of people in the UK who will be told today that they have cancer. They are the ones who really need some love. Thank you."