Mike Bushell joined Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt in the BBC Breakfast studio to pay tribute to his friend and former colleague. The sports correspondent reflected on his friendship with the broadcaster and admitted Bill had been a “mentor” to him during his stint on the BBC morning news programme.
Mike began: “We knew him as a really serious correspondent but when he joined I was working with him, I did the odd Breakfast shift and I realised how funny he was, how he could change the mood brilliantly between the hard news and the lighter stuff.
“He was so funny and we developed this banter and he was instrumental in getting me more regularly on BBC Breakfast. He became my mentor and so I owe him so much”
Naga interjected: “I did my first ever presenting shift with him on Breakfast.”
“I can’t believe it,” Mike noted and Naga added: “He drove this programme, didn’t he?
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“That’s what great presenters do and great journalists do and we are of course sending our thoughts and condolences to Bill’s family. We will miss him every much.”
Charlie remarked: “One side of it is the professional side that we all knew well but the most important side is his family so we wish them all the best.”
A statement from Bill’s wife Sarah McCombie read: “Our lovely Billy died yesterday evening almost five years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.
“The last week of his life was very special, as the whole family was with him and we shared some wonderful moments.
“When I presented with him, his energy was amazing, he came into this programme and threw everything at it.
“Every single day he was funny when we sat here on the sofa, he was a brilliant journalist, and he loved this programme and loved serving you the audience.
“I’m sure you will miss him but we certainly will too.”
Charlie added: “He was a wise head and he didn’t take himself too seriously when he sat here which is a great combination.”