Sir Chris Hoy gesture after cancer diagnosis shows Team GB legend's true colours

Wales Online

14 hours ago

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.