Sir Chris Hoy shows true colours in Dermot Murnaghan call after cancer diagnosis
British news anchor and TV show host Dermot Murnaghan's life was turned upside down when he received his cancer prognosis, after which the legendary Sir Chris Hoy picked up the phone to call him
Sir Chris Hoy showed his true colours by phoning Dermot Murnaghan after the latter's own cancer diagnosis, which the broadcaster called a "mental lifeline'. Six-time Olympic cycling champion Hoy announced in February 2024 that he was undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, for prostate cancer.
In October that year, the Team GB legend revealed that his diagnosis was terminal as the cancer had metastasised to his bones. Doctors told him he had between two to four years to live, after which the 49-year-old Scot began to spread awareness for prostate cancer, encouraging more people to get screenings.
After hearing Hoy's devastating news, former BBC and Sky News anchor Murnaghan felt compelled to get himself checked. But he failed to do so, writing in The Times: 'Seeing friends, football matches, even walking the dog, simply life itself, just seemed to intervene, and anyway I felt fine, no symptoms'.
It was only two months after Hoy's devastating statement, while Murnaghan was on a trip to southeast Asia with his wife, that he began to feel ' weird '. He experienced symptoms such as not being able to get out of bed and was in agony by the time he landed in the UK, after which he got a taxi to A&E.
He said: 'Five hours later my world was upended. The cancer was spreading fast, and I needed immediate surgery to keep me alive.'
The former Eggheads presenter added: 'After the numbness and shock of diagnosis, the negative thoughts come flooding in. Firstly, of course, 'How long have I got?'
'Then, 'Why, oh why, didn't I get that check?' hard on its heels. And perhaps the worst, 'You bloody fool, what have you done to your family?'"
Murnaghan soon received a heart-warming and much-needed phone call from Hoy, who had reached out after hearing news of the prognosis so soon after his own.
Murnaghan said: 'Numb with shock, pretty much unable to speak, I found myself listening to a calm, mellifluous Scottish brogue talking me through my own identical diagnosis, based on his experience.
'Chris was on the phone. He called me after hearing through a mutual contact. It was a mental lifeline.'
Murnaghan revealed last week that he is responding well to treatment and feeling well. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in males in the UK, accounting for 14 per cent of all cancer deaths in men.
Opening up about his condition, which is now understood to be terminal yet treatable, Hoy told Sunday Times: "As unnatural as it feels, this is nature. You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.
"You remind yourself, aren't I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible. Hand on heart, I'm pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It's bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy."
Hoy also recently told TNT Sport: "I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer almost two years ago now, and it shocked me, it rocked my world.
"It changed everything in one sentence, you're told that's not curable, but it's treatable. So suddenly, you have this death sentence, and it's terrifying, but I'm here to show that life goes on for many people in that situation.'
The distinguished Olympian has made an astonishing impact, with a 700 per cent rise in enquiries from men to their GPs to book tests since he announced his prognosis.
He and his wife Sarra were also awarded the Freedom of the City of London for their charitable work on cancer awareness and neonatal care, in addition to Sir Chris' sporting achievements as a British track cyclist.
The couple, who have been married since 2010, attended a joint ceremony at the Lord Mayor's official residence, The Mansion House, last Thursday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
British doctor reveals the food and drinks to avoid at all-inclusive hotel buffets – or risk food poisoning on holiday
Plus, our Sun-approved booking tips, plane hacks and travel products STAY SAFE British doctor reveals the food and drinks to avoid at all-inclusive hotel buffets – or risk food poisoning on holiday ONE GP has revealed the dos and don'ts on holiday for anyone wanting to stay healthy - and it's mostly avoiding certain food and drinks. Dr Masarat Jilani is a resident doctor at Jude whose expertise is about gut health and here's how to avoid falling ill on your next break. Advertisement 6 It can be hard to stay healthy during a holiday - but food and drink plays a big part Credit: Alamy 6 Avoid certain bits of the buffet, especially anything that's been sitting out Credit: Alamy Millions of Brits will soon be jetting off on their summer holidays, and if you want to stay in tip top health, abide by these simple rules. The first, be wary of the all-inclusive buffet. Plates upon plates of enticing foods might look tempting, but they can come with health risks. If you do want to eat from the buffet, choose carefully. For example any lukewarm food, especially meat, fish, eggs, and dairy-heavy dishes may have been sitting out for a while will come with a health risk. Advertisement Avoid other items like unpasteurised local cheese, cream-based desserts that haven't been properly refrigerated, and ice cream that has started to melt. Anything that looks like it should be chilled or frozen but has been left out is also a red flag. As for seafood, only eat it if it's very fresh, and thoroughly cooked, Dr Masarat Jilani also urged caution to those tempted to try sushi for the first time. Finally, don't overload your plate just because it's 'free' as overeating in the heat is likely to leave you feeling unwell. Advertisement Generally speaking, it's safer to stick with bottled water abroad when it comes to keeping hydrated - and for brushing your teeth too. Also avoid ice in drinks unless it's definitely from purified water - and you can just ask at the bar about this. Gran Canaria all-inclusive 6 Take supplements to keep your gut healthy Credit: Alamy 6 Avoid overdoing it with alcohol and opt for something else instead Credit: Alamy Advertisement When it comes to drinks, check the seals on bottled drinks to ensure they haven't been refilled or tampered with. Another source of water to watch is at the salad bar. Unless you're confident the vegetables have been washed in safe, bottled water, assume they haven't. Everyone should have good hygiene, but it's important when away to wash hands more frequently, and it's recommended to use hand sanitiser. Advertisement Make sure little ones are washing hands properly as well and not just rushing back to the pool or beach. To keep your gut ticking along, consider taking a probiotic supplement before and during your trip. This is especially good for travellers with sensitive stomachs because they can help strengthen your gut's natural defences ahead of any disruption - like travelling. The effectiveness does vary, so the GP warns that it's not a "licence to eat anything and everything". Advertisement Including natural sources of probiotics such as kefir, yoghurt with live cultures, and fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut, may offer a more consistent benefit. Most holidaymakers like a drink on holiday, but excess alcohol can lower resistance to stomach bugs. 6 Wash and sanitise hands even more regularly whilst on holiday Credit: Alamy While it can be tempting to make the most of the all-inclusive bar, remember to pace yourself, especially in hot climates. Advertisement Heat exhaustion or dehydration can have similar symptoms to food poisoning, and alcohol poisoning can be even more serious. Even if drinks are poured from branded bottles, they may have been refilled with stronger, unregulated local versions. That means you could be drinking a higher percentage of alcohol than you realise - so go slow and stay hydrated by drinking lots of bottled water throughout the day. Dr Masarat Jilani added: 'First of all, it's worth remembering that not all gut problems abroad are caused by food poisoning. Advertisement "Our digestive systems thrive on routine, and the disruption of travel can change the way they behave." She continued to suggest easing yourself in slowly to the holiday routine and not dive straight in with over-eating. "Having an upset stomach while on holiday is unpleasant, but will usually pass within a couple of days. "If symptoms persist or worsen ask the hotel to contact a doctor, especially if you've got a fever or signs of dehydration.' Advertisement Plus, our Sun-approved booking tips, plane hacks and travel products. And these are the 11 most common illnesses you can catch on holiday.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a doctor and there's easy way to cool down in heatwave without using fan'
A doctor revealed a quick and easy method to effectively keep cool in the heatwave this summer as the warmer temperatures persist - and you won't need to use a fan A doctor revealed the "best way" to cool down during this summer's sizzling heat - and you won't even need a fan. With the nation grappling with a series of scorching days and a relentless intense heat, keeping cool is proving to be quite the challenge. It's especially tricky at home, with most British houses designed to keep the heat in. Scores of overheated residents are scouring social media for useful ways to combat the heat, with both amateurs and experts alike eager to share their wisdom. One such expert is Dr Noman Mohamed, MBBS BSc MRCGP, a specialist in cosmetic dermatology. In a recent TikTok video, Dr Mohamed dishes out a handful of savvy strategies aimed at helping people keep their cool as temperatures soar. While many have suggested placing a bowl of ice or chilly water near a fan to spread cooler air around, Dr Mohamed throws in an extra piece of advice. The video features the doctor gazing into the lens while lip-syncing to a song. Text overlaid on the clip reads: "When I tell patients the best way to cool down in this heatwave is to run cold water over [their] wrists (radial artery), have a bowl of ice in front of your fan to make a DIY AC unit and to sleep on the floor as hot air rises." As per the Cleveland Clinic: "The radial artery carries oxygenated blood from the elbows to the fingers. It's one of two main arteries located in the forearm." Putting cold water on your wrists might just be the trick to keeping your cool, as it's believed it has the potential to lower your overall body temperature by cooling the blood that circulates through your body. In the comments section beneath the TikTok video, social media users were keen to share their thoughts. One reminisced: "My mum told me the ice on wrist trick 50 years ago." Another agreed and said: "The water on wrists [is] a staple in my life thanks to an old art teacher, always telling everyone my 'hack' and it works every time." A third shared: "I used to do this when I worked in hospitals. Magic." Someone else recounted how ice saved the day during a blistering wait: "Overheating yesterday waiting for ferry in Galveston, only thing that cooled us down was ice on our wrists, and then rubbing ice on our necks and behind our knees." While some of us bask in the bliss of hot weather, others may find the temperatures difficult to deal with - but relief could be on the horizon. Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lenhert has confirmed some parts of Britain are set to sizzle under soaring heat, but other areas will notice it getting cooler. Lenhert advised: "Overnight temperatures will remain high, with some locations not dropping below 20°C in what is called a tropical night. These sorts of temperatures make it hard to sleep and prevent any recovery from the high daytime temperatures too. "Tuesday will be another hot day, though the highest temperatures will be more confined to the south east of England where 35°C is possible. Fresher air will move in from the west through the middle of the week, bringing an end to this heatwave."
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Sir Chris Hoy gesture after cancer diagnosis shows Team GB legend's true colours
Sir Chris Hoy gesture after cancer diagnosis shows Team GB legend's true colours TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan said he was "numb with shock" following his diagnosis with stage 4 prostate cancer, after which he received a timely phone call from Sir Chris Hoy British broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan received a heart-warming phone call from Sir Chris Hoy after his own cancer prognosis (Image: Getty Images ) Sir Chris Hoy reached out to Dermot Murnaghan over the phone after the broadcaster received his own terminal cancer diagnosis, an action Murnaghan called a "mental lifeline". The six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist announced in February 2024 he was undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer. In October of the same year, the British sporting icon shared the heartbreaking news that his condition was terminal as the cancer had spread to his bones. Having been given two to four years left to live, the 49-year-old Scot started a campaign to raise awareness for prostate cancer and stress the importance of screenings. On learning of Hoy's tragic news, former BBC and Sky News anchor Murnaghan felt compelled to get tested. But life's many distractions, as he wrote in The Times, got in the way: "Seeing friends, football matches, even walking the dog, simply life itself, just seemed to intervene, and anyway I felt fine, no symptoms." It was only two months after Hoy's statement, while on holiday in southeast Asia with his wife, that Murnaghan began experiencing troubling signs such as extreme tiredness and pain. They persisted upon his return to the UK, leading him to rush to A&E. He said: 'Five hours later my world was upended. The cancer was spreading fast, and I needed immediate surgery to keep me alive.' Article continues below The former Eggheads presenter continued: 'After the numbness and shock of diagnosis, the negative thoughts come flooding in. Firstly, of course, 'How long have I got?' The six-time Olympic champion is a key advocate for prostate cancer awareness (Image: Tim) 'Then, 'Why, oh why, didn't I get that check?' hard on its heels. And perhaps the worst, 'You bloody fool, what have you done to your family?'" Murnaghan then received an unexpected call from Hoy, who had reached out with some words of comfort after hearing news of the prognosis so soon after his own. Murnaghan recalled: 'Numb with shock, pretty much unable to speak, I found myself listening to a calm, mellifluous Scottish brogue talking me through my own identical diagnosis, based on his experience. Chris was on the phone. He called me after hearing through a mutual contact. It was a mental lifeline.' Murnaghan last week revealed that he is responding well to his treatment and is feeling well. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in males in the UK, accounting for 14 per cent of all cancer deaths in men. Opening up about his condition, which is now understood to be terminal but treatable, Hoy told Sunday Times: "As unnatural as it feels, this is nature. You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process. Hoy continues to encourage men to get life-saving tests (Image: PA ) "You remind yourself, 'Aren't I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.' Hand on heart, I'm pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It's bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy." In a recent interview with TNT Sport, he shed light on the moment he received his diagnosis, saying: "I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer almost two years ago now, and it shocked me, it rocked my world. "It changed everything in one sentence, you're told that's not curable, but it's treatable. So suddenly, you have this death sentence, and it's terrifying, but I'm here to show that life goes on for many people in that situation.' Hoy's determination to raise awareness about cancer has led to a remarkable 700 per cent increase in men contacting their GPs to book tests since he shared his prognosis. In recognition of their charitable efforts in cancer awareness and neonatal care, Sir Chris and his wife Sarra were awarded the Freedom of the City of London. Article continues below The couple, who have been married since 2010, attended a ceremony at the Lord Mayor's official residence, The Mansion House, last Thursday, where they were honoured for their contributions to charity as well as Sir Chris' achievements as a British track cyclist.
