BBC Breakfast hosts announce tragic news as star diagnosed with terminal illness

BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt opened the show with some sad news.

BBC Breakfast took a sad turn on Friday as Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt announced that one guest had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Before introducing Danny Burkey, who appeared in a pre-recorded clip, Naga began, “Now, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with around 63,000 cases diagnosed in the UK every year.

“A major screening trial has begun, which aims to find the best way to detect the disease.”

Charlie continued, “Invites will initially be sent out to 16,000 men across the UK, but this will eventually be expanded to up to 300,000. Our medical editor, Fergus Walsh, has more.”

Speaking in a voiceover, Fergus stated, “Danny Burkey from West Yorkshire is terminally ill with prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones.

 

Charlie and Naga on BBC Breakfast

Charlie and Naga on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC)

“Aged 60. He says if men were offered regular screening, his disease might have been caught when it was still curable.”

Speaking about his heartbreaking diagnosis, Danny shared, “A screening program would literally be a game-changer.

“If you want men to not be in the position I’m in, if we want to stop 12,000 men dying early every year, it’s the obvious solution.”

Fergus went on to explain, “Currently, men over 50 can ask for a PSA blood test. High levels can indicate prostate cancer, but it’s unreliable, picking up many cancers that don’t need treatment and missing others that do.”

Danny has terminal prostate cancer

Danny has terminal prostate cancer (Image: BBC)

Naga and Charlie announced the latest news headlines

Naga and Charlie announced the latest news headlines (Image: BBC)

He added, “The prostate is a walnut-sized gland at the base of the bladder. The Transform trial will see if rapid MRI scans will improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

“Next week, the National Screening Committee, an expert body that advises the NHS, is due to recommend whether to introduce a screening program for prostate cancer.

“Previously, it said the harms outweighed the benefits.