Dermot Murnaghan Remembered in Charity Cycle After Prostate Cancer Death
Matt Barbet rides Tour de 4, honouring friend and raising funds for cancer research.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan died on July 11 at the age of 68, following a period of illness with prostate cancer.
He arrived on his bicycle, a consistent habit, radiating health and vitality; they shared coffee outdoors, Barbet noting his robust appearance, his cheeks flushed with color.
Beyond professional camaraderie, Murnaghan urged Barbet to undertake both the Glasgow charity ride and a crucial PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, expressing deep regret for his own delay in taking the test.
This encouragement extended beyond shared professional spaces into personal well-being, a testament to their bond.
Non-journalists in their cycling group saw Murnaghan as Ron Burgundy, a nod to the newsroom satire Anchorman, with Barbet himself assuming the role of Brian Fantana within this playful dynamic.
Their friendship, Barbet maintains, formed outside the confines of journalism, an unlikely pairing for presenting, fueled by a friendly competitive spirit.
Murnaghan's dedication to cycling ran so deep that he conceived his Sky series, Economic Cycle, primarily to integrate his passion for riding; Barbet stated, "I know full well it was a good story to tell about the economy, but he definitely did it so he could go on his bike."
I know full well it was a good story to tell about the economy, but he definitely did it so he could go on his bike.
The candor fostered by cycling, where conversations unfold side-by-side without direct eye contact, allowed Murnaghan to offer Barbet advice, their 18-year age difference often positioning Murnaghan as a mentor.
Barbet sent a text to Murnaghan, stating, "I’ve got a place on the ride, really looking forward to it. Hope you’re well, just checking in."
Murnaghan's final communication to Barbet arrived as a stark reply: 'not so well mate, tbh. I’ll keep you posted.' This marked the last contact Barbet had with him.
Barbet expressed profound shock, stating, "It was a real shock, it was a genuine shock when I heard he died because it was only three weeks since he was saying I’ll keep you posted."
It was a real shock, it was a genuine shock when I heard he died because it was only three weeks since he was saying I’ll keep you posted. So I was really optimistic for him at that point, so when when the news came… (it) floored me, like a ton of bricks, that he’s gone.
He added, "So I was really optimistic for him at that point, so when when the news came… (it) floored me, like a ton of bricks, that he’s gone."
This stark contrast between Murnaghan's apparent well-being and his sudden passing highlighted the unpredictable nature of his illness.
Barbet's participation in the Tour de 4 now serves as a tangible tribute, continuing Murnaghan's legacy of encouraging health awareness and supporting cancer-focused charities.