Fiona Phillips has said she “hasn’t felt the same” since the death of fellow television personality and friend Bill Turnbull, whom she considered a brother.
She revealed her shock after the former BBC Breakfast presenter passed away last week at the age of 66 following a battle with prostate cancer.
Speak with the mirror Fiona, 61, said: “I just haven’t felt the same since I heard the terrible news. He was just such a first-class person.’
Sad: Fiona Phillips has said she “hasn’t felt the same” since the death of fellow TV personality and friend Bill Turnbull, whom she considered a brother
Fiona fondly recalled working with Bill on BBC1’s daytime program Holding Back The Years, which aired from 2017 to 2018.
She said: ‘I already knew Bill through the Journalists’ Association, but that show was the first and last time I worked closely with him and we clicked right away’.
The show was about well-being for older people and Fiona joked with her and Bill hated being considered old enough to host.
Friends: Fiona fondly recalled working with Bill on BBC1’s daytime program Holding Back The Years, which aired from 2017 to 2018
Adding: ‘He was just so sweet, so caring and a gentleman. By the end of filming, I just felt like he was my brother.’
It comes after Bill’s former co-host Susanna Reid said that after his prostate cancer diagnosis five years ago, he “would have no complaints” if he died the next day.
The former BBC Breakfast presenter revealed in a Radio Times interview in March 2018 that he had discovered he was ill last November while filming for The Great British Bake Off’s Stand Up to Cancer special.
RIP: The beloved host sadly passed away after his battle with prostate cancer at the age of 66 August 31st
When he appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain after his death, an emotional Reid recalled what Bill had said at the time, saying that his words ‘really touched me when I read them’ and that she was ‘so grateful to have known him’ .
He had said, ‘The contract I thought I had with life has been cut short. You have to be positive, don’t you? I know I won’t be cured and I’m realistic about the long-term prospects, but they’re not bad.
“Most importantly, I really think I’ve had a great life, with great experiences as a reporter and host. And if it all ended tomorrow, I would have no complaints. I really had a great time.’
Honor: It comes after Bill’s former co-host Susanna Reid said that after his prostate cancer diagnosis five years ago, he “could have no complaints” if he died the next day
Susannah, who first worked with Turnbull as his producer more than 25 years ago when he was a BBC News correspondent in Washington, also told GMB: “I was absolutely blown away by the loss of Bill.”
She continued: “He was such a funny person to be around…and I don’t want to sound gloomy when I talk about him because he had such a sense of humor. I remember when he presented on this show we called him a “sauce pot” because he definitely had a way with ambiguities, really. He was pleasant company.’
BBC Breakfast presenters Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid on the couch together on April 5, 2012
She also shared today how Turnbull helped one of her children overcome their fear of dogs, saying her former colleague was “the dog whisperer.”
She told BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt how Turnbull’s dogs were ‘such an important part of his life’. Reid said, “When we all moved to Salford, he invited me and my family, my children, to his home to spend the day with Sesi and the dogs. My middle son was absolutely petrified of all animals at the time.
“We couldn’t have a pet at home, he would be scared if there was a cat in the yard, and he was literally in the kitchen. And Bill took that very carefully, and he encouraged my son to throw a ball for Bonnie, Bill’s beloved black labrador.
“And by the end of that day, my son had completely lost his fear of dogs. We were allowed to have a cat in the house. He was like, he was like the kid whisperer, or the dog whisperer, or Dr. Dolittle.
“I mean, he could talk to the animals. He was amazing, they were so important to him and he wanted everyone to have that same experience.”