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The former Strictly Come Dancing partner of TV presenter Bill Turnbull said he 'made TV magical' as she gave a tearful tribute to the journalist following news of his death today. 

Speaking in an interview on BBC News, 릴게임사이트 Karen Hardy, 52, broke down as she spoke warmly of the star, calling him a 'gentleman' and 'mentor'.

She added that he 'taught me about the news', saying 'it was all about seeking the truth and finding the truth, no matter what'.

The dancer had to pause several times to gather herself as she was overcome with emotion. 

Hardy competed with Turnbull in the third series of Strictly in 2005. The pair were the seventh dancing couple to be voted off the show.   

Her words came after Turnbull's former colleagues on BBC Breakfast, Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, paid their own tributes while on air. 

They read a statement from his family that said he died 'peacefully' at home in Suffolk yesterday after a 'challenging and committed fight against prostate cancer' which had been diagnosed in November 2017.

Munchetty said the star 'loved this programme and he loved serving you, the audience.

So I'm sure you will miss him, but we certainly will too,' whilst Stayt added: 'He was a wise head, he didn't take himself too seriously when he sat here which is a great combination.' 

Both visibly tearful, the duo also remembered their predecessor on the BBC One morning show as 'our friend and former colleague' and an 'amazing' journalist.

Turnbull, who appeared on the programme from 2001 until 2016, revealed the diagnosis in March 2018 and detailed his treatment in a Channel 4 documentary called Staying Alive.

In October last year Turnbull announced he was taking a leave of absence from his show on Classic FM for health reasons. 

But he returned to the radio station last month to host on Saturday mornings.

Classic FM confirmed to MailOnline that his last show was just 12 days ago, on August 20.

Stayt said on BBC Breakfast today: 'Welcome back. We have some sad news to bring you now. Our former colleague, former Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull has died.

He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017.'

Munchetty then read out a statement from his wife Sesi which said: '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.'

<div class="art-ins mol-factbox news halfRHS" data-version="2" id="mol-c451d5e0-29cf-11ed-a115-ef3435523ffe" website Turnbull&apos;s Strictly partner Karen Hardy pays emotional tribute