Most tragic BBC Breakfast moments of 2025

(Image: BBC)

The BAFTA award-winning BBC Breakfast offers daily news insights and keeps viewers up to date in the world of news and entertainment. This often leads to coverage of devastating events within the UK and across the globe with some of the most tragic moments of 2025 making headline news.

Express.co.uk has counted down some of the most heartbreaking moments which aired on the BBC show last year.

If you were affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations which can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393

BBC Breakfast halted after tragic death

Presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay updated viewers on November 10. They reported on the death of 22-year-old Alice Figueiredo, who tragically took her own life while being treated at Goodmayes Hospital in 2015.

“A hospital convicted of serious failings over the death of a young mental health patient had another young woman try to harm herself in what were described as startlingly similar circumstances just four months later. That’s according to leaked documents that were seen by the BBC,” Jon began.

Jon went on: “The NHS Trust says it’s deeply sorry for Alice’s death and that it’s taken significant steps to improve… Tomorrow, North East London NHS Trust and the former ward manager Aninakwa will be sentenced over health and safety breaches.”

A pre-recorded clip was then played, in which the BBC’s Social Affairs Editor Alison Holt shared heartwarming memories of Alice.

“She was creative and funny and the images captured [in the woods] helped her express herself,” she said.

(Image: BBC)

Honouring World War I veteran

BBC Breakfast was halted for “terrible” news after the death of a “very brave lady” on November 11. Hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell paid tribute to Dorothy Lawrence, a journalist who disguised herself as a male soldier to get to the frontline during World War I.

“Dorothy Lawrence wasn’t just forgotten about. A journalist determined to report from the trenches during the First World War, she was arrested, silenced and committed to an asylum for almost 40 years,” correspondent Tim Muffett explained.

“During the First World War, women were not allowed to report from the frontline.”

After ten days in the trenches, Dorothy became “very ill” and had to reveal her true identity. She was arrested, sent back to Britain, and told not to talk about what she had done until after the war.

“She was gagged until the end of the Armistice, and in 1925, she was put in an asylum, deemed mad, and died there in 1964. That’s not right. I think that’s terrible,” army veteran Steve Davies said.

Dorothy was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave but it has since been restored, with a special ceremony taking place to honour the journalist and formerly unveil her headstone. As part of the project, relatives of Dorothy were tracked down.

(Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast guest receives cancer diagnosis

BBC Breakfast took a heartbreaking turn on November 21 as Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt revealed that one guest had received a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Before introducing Danny Burkey, who featured in a pre-recorded segment, Naga explained, “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.”

Editor Fergis Walsh revealed, Danny Burkey from West Yorkshire is terminally ill with prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones.

Discussing his devastating diagnosis, Danny explained, “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.”

(Image: BBC)

Lewis Moody’s devastating diagnosis

Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in September.

Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield, who has raised over £10 million for those affected by MND, appeared on BBC Breakfast (November 24), where he gave hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay an update on Lewis.

“We’ve seen, haven’t we, in recent weeks, former England player, Lewis Moody, diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease,” Sally began.

“He spoke to us about his diagnosis and he was saying that initially, in the first few weeks, the challenge has been mental rather than physical. How important is it that people who are diagnosed get that support about trying to get a mindset where they can take this challenge on, and not feel like they’ve been left alone?”

Kevin replied: “Yeah, that’s the great thing about pulling people together, pulling the community together. We’re hoping Lewis will join us. I’ve been in touch with him.

“I think people who are diagnosed will take strength from Doddie [Weir], from Rob [Burrow], from Syd Lawrence, from Stephen Darby, from Marcus Stewart, Ed Slater – I can keep reeling some of those champions who have fought so bravely against MND.”