Dermot Murnaghan
English journalist and broadcaster (1957–2026)
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Dermot John Murnaghan (/ˈmɜːrnəhən/; 26 December 1957 – 11 July 2026) was an English media personality, notable as a journalist, news reporter and television host. He presented for numerous networks, including Channel 4, CNBC Europe, Independent Television News and BBC News. Murnaghan anchored news programmes in a variety of time slots from when he joined Sky News in 2007 until the end of February 2023. He also presented the BBC quiz show Eggheads between 2003 and 2014.
26 December 1957
Dermot Murnaghan | |
|---|---|
Murnaghan in 2014 | |
| Born | Dermot John Murnaghan 26 December 1957 Barnstaple, Devon, England |
| Died | 11 July 2026 (aged 68) North London, England |
Cause of death | Cancer |
| Education | University of Sussex |
| Occupations | Journalist, television presenter |
| Years active | 1984–2026 |
| Employers | |
| Notable credits | |
| Spouse |
Maria Keegan (m. 1989) |
| Children | 4 |
Early life and education
Dermot John Murnaghan was born on 26 December 1957 in Barnstaple, Devon, and spent much of his early childhood in Northern Ireland following a family relocation. The family settled sequentially in Armagh, Newry (County Down), and later Holywood. His schooling took place at St Malachy's Primary School in Armagh and Sullivan Upper School, a grammar institution located in Holywood.[1] Murnaghan went on to study history at the University of Sussex, where he earned a master's degree in 1980. He subsequently undertook postgraduate training in journalism at City University London.[2]
Journalism career
Early career
Murnaghan began his journalism career as a trainee reporter with local newspapers before transitioning to television. He joined Channel 4 as a researcher and later worked as a reporter on The Business Programme. After a brief period presenting for the European Business Channel in Switzerland, he returned to the UK in 1989 to contribute to Channel 4’s breakfast programme The Channel Four Daily, where he presented business segments. He later became one of the programme’s lead presenters.[3]
Presenter at ITV
Murnaghan then joined ITV, presenting programmes such as the ITV Lunchtime News and News at Ten. Between 1993 and 1997, he fronted approximately 100 episodes of current affairs series The Big Story.[4] In 1997, as an ITN news presenter, Murnaghan broke the news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales to viewers on ITV.[5] He later presented the ITV Evening News and the ITV Nightly News when ITV relaunched their news output in 1999. He also worked on ITV's general election coverage in 2001.[6]
BBC News
From September 2002 to December 2007, Murnaghan was a main presenter of BBC Breakfast, replacing Jeremy Bowen. He presented the show alongside Sophie Raworth, Natasha Kaplinsky, Kate Silverton, Sian Williams and Susanna Reid.[7] He was also a regular stand-in on the BBC Six O'Clock News and BBC Ten O'Clock News and co-presented the BBC News at Six on Fridays from September 2003 to summer 2007 alongside Sian Williams. His presenting style was lampooned in the impersonation sketch show Dead Ringers by Jon Culshaw, his widely spaced legs on the presenting couch mocked with the phrase "I'm Dermot Murnaghan, watch my crotch follow you round the room."[8]
Whilst at the BBC, he co-presented BBC Two's Treasure Hunt (2002–2003), a revival of an earlier format on Channel 4 alongside Suzi Perry. He co-presented BBC Breakfast from Monday to Thursday as well as regularly fronting national BBC news bulletins until December 2007 when he left to move to Sky News.[9]
Sky News
In October 2007, it was announced that Murnaghan would be leaving the BBC for Sky News. Murnaghan became the second news presenter to depart the corporation in the same month – Natasha Kaplinsky also left to join Five News, produced by Sky.[10] His last time presenting Breakfast was 20 December 2007.[11]
From January 2011 until December 2016, Murnaghan presented his own show entitled Murnaghan on Sky News that aired on Sunday mornings from 10 am until 12 noon. He began presenting Sky News Tonight from Monday to Thursday in September 2016. For the 2019 general election Murnaghan hosted Sky News' overnight coverage, entitled The Brexit Election.[12]
Murnaghan announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sky News on 8 September 2022.[13] In February 2023, he departed from his role as presenter of Sky News Tonight.[14]
Presenting
Murnaghan presented the BBC Two daytime show Eggheads from 2003 until 2014, as well as its short-lived spin-off series Are You an Egghead? in 2008 and 2009. Following his move to Sky News, he shared this role with Jeremy Vine, who subsequently became the sole presenter in series 16. Murnaghan guest presented reports for different travel shows including ITV's Wish You Were Here...? and BBC One's rival programme Holiday. He made cameos as a newsreader in the 2004 film Wimbledon.[15]
Personal life
In August 1989, Murnaghan married Maria Keegan in Camden; they had four children – three daughters and a son.[16] They lived together in Crouch End, North London.[17] Murnaghan was an Arsenal fan.[18]
On 9 March 2017, Murnaghan was involved in a hit-and-run accident. He was cycling through Kentish Town, north-west London, to his work at Sky News when the accident took place. Speaking to Sky News, he said the driver of the car that hit him had been using a mobile phone when the incident occurred. The accident forced him off air from his Sky News show and resulted in large bruise marks on the left-hand side of his face. Murnaghan thanked a "good Samaritan" who saw what had happened and told him that the car had sped off.[19][20]
Health and death
In June 2025, Murnaghan disclosed that he had been diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer, stating that he was responding well to treatment and encouraging men over 50 to seek early screening.[21] Murnaghan died from the illness at his home in North London, on 11 July 2026, aged 68.[11][18]