BRAVE Bill Turnbull openly spoke about his incurable prostate cancer battle as he revealed he was “very calm” about facing death.
The veteran presenter, who has passed away aged 66, was diagnosed with the disease in 2017.
Bill Turnbull spoke openly about his cancer diagnosis[/caption]
Bill used his platform to urge others to get tested as he provided supporters with regular updates on his treatment.
In 2020, the ex-BBC Breakfast presenter said he was not scared of dying after coming to terms with his terminal diagnosis.
Bill said: “I’ve thought a great deal about death since I was diagnosed with cancer because he’s there, y’know – the fella with the hood over his head and the scythe. He’s waiting, and that’s fine.
“I’ve developed quite a healthy relationship with death, I feel very, very calm about it because I’ve given it a lot of thought.
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“There’s no way I’m going to imagine I can live forever, nor would I really want to.”
Bill revealed he had prostate cancer after poignantly appearing on a celeb Great British Bake Off episode for Stand Up to Cancer.
He underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy and hormone treatment that left him experiencing mood swings.
The presenter said he went to a “very dark place” following his diagnosis.
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But he how he overhauled his entire lifestyle – including removing meat and dairy from his diet and taking up yoga and meditation – in a bid to feel healthier and more positive.
He tried out other alternative methods for treating his illness and revealed last year how he was using an £8,000 state-of-the-art oxygen chamber.
Bill also fronted documentary Bill Turnbull: Staying Alive for Channel 4 where he explored the use of cannabis oil for medicinal purposes.
In it, the journalist was seen getting a fit of the giggles as the drug took effect.
He later revealed having cancer had given him a zest for life despite the bad moments.
Bill explained: “You get a different perspective to where you are with the disease and what it means for your life.
“You have important stages in your life. For me it was when I got married and then had children. This is another big chapter. I’m saying, ‘Right, I have it and I’m going to see where it takes me’.
“But once you get diagnosed with an incurable disease you don’t waste another day. You don’t wake up and think, ‘Oh God not another day!’ You think, ‘Great, this is another day and I’m going to live it’.”
Speaking to The Sun last year, Bill also proudly revealed he was back down to the same weight as when he got married.
The star had spoken about his “puffy face” and 1½st weight gain from steroid treatment.
Bill returned to Classic FM last month after previously stepping down due to his “bumpy” cancer journey.
He admitted in 2017 he was “cross with myself” after not seeing his GP in four years before his own diagnosis.
Bill had prostate tests at the age of 40 and 50 but said the disease had already spread to his bones when he saw a doctor about his aches and pains.
But he later said inspiring men to get tested for prostate cancer after revealing his own diagnosis was the “one useful thing” he had done with his life.
His work has been praised by Prostate Cancer UK following his death.
They said: “Our friend and ambassador Bill Turnbull has died.
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“Bill worked tirelessly to raise awareness of prostate cancer following his diagnosis in 2017, and it was our privilege to work alongside him.
“Our thoughts are with Bill’s loved ones today.”
