Bill Turnbull Speaks Of 'Dark Weeks' He Faced After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

He returned to 'BBC Breakfast' for an interview on Friday.

Bill Turnbull has admitted he has gone through “dark” times following his diagnosis with prostate and bone cancer. 

The former ‘BBC Breakfast’ presenter returned to the show for a special interview on Friday, during which he gave an update on his health. 

Open Image Modal
Bill Turnbull
BBC

Bill, who has undergone nine rounds of chemotherapy, spoke of the difficult weeks he faced after he was first told he had the disease last year. 

“You have a few days when you’re in shock and then you have a few weeks which are pretty dark,” he said. 

“On this day when people are watching this on television, there will be hundreds of people in Britain who will get a diagnosis. Hundreds.” 

Giving advice to those in a similar situation, Bill continued: “All I can say to them is hold tight and things will…they won’t get better, but it won’t be quite as dark as it is now.”

Open Image Modal
Bill was diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer last year
BBC

Urging men who are displaying symptoms of the disease to get checked out, he added: “We don’t wanna waste the doctor’s time, we don’t wanna waste our time, we don’t like going to the surgery, why would we do that? Naturally we’re reluctant to go.

“Now of course I’m a season ticket holder at my local surgery.”

Bill was joined on the show by a man who had been encouraged to get checked out after hearing his story, showing the impact Bill going public with his diagnosis has had. 

“It brought home to me what it had actually meant so that’s great.”

How To Spot The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
Needing to rush to the toilet This can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:Getty )
(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
Blood in your urine or semen This can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY )
(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully This can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY )
(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Difficulty getting an erection (impotence)This can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY )
(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
Pain in your bones, such as your back and hips This can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY )
(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Straining or taking a long time while urinatingThis can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:Shutterstock)
(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Tiredness, loss of appetite and feeling generally unwell This can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY )
(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
Needing to urinate more frequently, often during the night This can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY )
(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Weak flowThis can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY )
(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Weight lossThis can be one symptom of prostate cancer but may be indicative of another condition. See your GP if in doubt. (credit:GETTY)