Memorial service held for 'extraordinary' broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan

A memorial service has been held for former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan, who died in July after a distinguished career at the top of UK journalism.

Colleagues and friends gathered at St Bride's Church in the City of London to remember the man who was a familiar face to millions of viewers.

Dermot was a senior presenter on Sky News for 15 years, hosting thousands of hours of rolling news, interviewing some of the biggest names in national and international politics, and fronting the 2019 UK and 2020 US election shows.

In 2022, he broke the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Dermot previously presented the news for Channel 4, ITV and the BBC - and was also known and loved for hosting quiz show Eggheads.

He died aged 68 following a period of illness with prostate cancer.

Dermot campaigned to raise awareness of the disease, becoming an ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research, and urged men not to put off getting a PSA test.

He also supported calls for a national screening programme and raised £13,000 when Sir Chris Hoy asked him to take part in his first Tour de 4 cycle ride last year.

Dermot's wife and four children were at Thursday's memorial service, as were a host of former colleagues.

Sky News presenters Mark Austin and Anna Botting and political editor Beth Rigby joined Sky News Group Chair David Rhodes and Sky News M.D. & Executive Editor Jonathan Levy at the famous Fleet Street church.

Natasha Kaplinsky, Dermot's former breakfast show co-presenter, was also there, alongside top news executives from the BBC and ITN.

Former head of Sky News John Ryley, who worked with Dermot throughout his time at Sky, gave a eulogy.

"There will only ever be one Dermot John Murnaghan," he said.

"An extraordinary individual. An extraordinary journalist. And an extraordinary family friend. No one else came close.

"Dermot's intellectual rigour, his instinctive distrust of authority, and his wonderfully mischievous sense of humour made him addictive company."

Mr Ryley said Dermot's first job, at the Carrickfergus Advertiser in Northern Ireland - where he came from - instilled in him the importance of getting even the smallest stories "diamond-hard right".

"That was Dermot. He wanted to know. He wanted to understand. And, above all, he wanted to get it right," Mr Ryley said.

"Those early days he developed the qualities that would take him from his first byline in County Antrim to the very heart of British broadcasting."

In a career spanning five decades, Dermot was the voice of calm authority that broke the news of elections, wars and resignations.

After leaving Sky News in 2023, he launched the Legends Of News podcast, interviewing the likes of Sir Trevor McDonald, Jonathan Dimbleby and Kirsty Young.

Dermot went public with his diagnosis in June 2025, revealing his prostate cancer was stage four, meaning it had spread to other areas of the body.

He described how he had previously put off getting tested and "fell through the gaps".

"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," said Dermot.

"Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms."

He urged those in high-risk groups - such as men over 50, black men, and people with a family history of the disease - to see their GP and "demand" a test.

Former prime minister David Cameron, who has also been treated for the disease, said Dermot's decision to speak so candidly would have encouraged many men to get tested and undoubtedly "saved lives".

Prostate Cancer Research also praised him for speaking "openly and courageously" about his experience.

"His willingness to share his story helped shine a light on the realities of living with prostate cancer and inspired many others to seek information, support and medical advice," the charity said.

(c) Sky News 2026: Memorial service held for 'extraordinary' broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan