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In pictures: A look back at Bill Turnbull's life

BBC Bill Turnbull on BBC Breakfast in 2002BBC

Presenter Bill Turnbull, who has died at the age of 66, was a genial and reassuring fixture on British television screens for almost 35 years.

He joined BBC One's Breakfast programme as a fresh-faced reporter in 1988. Stints as a news correspondent and Washington correspondent followed, before Turnbull returned to Breakfast, as a presenter, in 2001.

BBC Breakfast's Bill Turnbull and Sian Williams sit on the sofa in 2009

His co-hosts included Sian Williams, with whom he shared the famous red sofa for 11 years, until she left in 2012.

The presenters of the BBC programme Breakfast. From left: Bill Turnbull, Sian Williams, Charlie Stayt, Susanna Reid, Simon Jack (business), Carol Kirkwood (weather) and Mike Bushell (sport). 24/12/2010.

His other regular on-air early-morning companions, included Charlie Stayt, Susanna Reid, Simon Jack, Carol Kirkwood and Mike Bushell.

Bill Turnbull, Michael Buerk and Rob Bonnet who performed with other newsreaders as Duran Duran to the song Wild Boys on Children In Need 2004

Turnbull performed Duran Duran's Wild Boys, with newsreader Michael Buerk and sport presenter Rob Bonnet, on BBC Children In Need 2004.

Bill Turnbull and Karen Hardy on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005

He partnered Karen Hardy on the third series of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing in 2005.

Bill Turnbull and Karen Hardy on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005

The pair lasted seven weeks on the programme.

Tony Blair interviewed by hosts Sian Williams and Bill Turnbull on BBC Breakfast on 9 June 2011

Turnbull combined light-hearted moments with hard-hitting news reports and political interviews, such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair's visit to the Breakfast studio in 2011.

Bill Turnbull (right) with other presenters past and present during celebrations to mark Breakfast's 25th anniversary in 2008, including (left to right) Angela Rippon, Francis Wilson, Chris Hollins, Glyn Christian, Selena Scott, Sue Cook, Sian Williams and Mike Smith

In 2008, he celebrated Breakfast's 25th anniversary with presenters past and present, including Angela Rippon, Francis Wilson, Chris Hollins, Glyn Christian, Selena Scott, Sue Cook, Sian Williams and Mike Smith.

Newsreaders Jeremy Bowen, Michael Buerk, Bill Turnbull and Andrew Marr performing Bohemian Rhapsody for Children in Need in 2005

Turnbull featured in more Children In Need spoof musical performances, including forming a Queen tribute band with Jeremy Bowen, Michael Buerk and Andrew Marr to perform Bohemian Rhapsody in 2005.

Bill Turnbull on BBC Children In Need 2006

The following year, he played James Bond in another sketch on the charity telethon.

Bill Turnbull in red beekeeping suit on Horizon: What's Killing Our Bees? in 2013

One of Turnbull's other loves was beekeeping and he presented BBC Two's What's Killing Our Bees? A Horizon Special, in 2013.

BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull in February 2016

Turnbull left Breakfast in 2016, after 15 years. He said at the time: "When I first joined, it was rather staid and to be honest a little bit dull. Part of the success of the programme was it learned to relax, not just in terms of the presentation but also in terms of the content."

BBC/12 Yard Productions/Alan Peeble Bill Turnbull and contestants of quiz show Think Tank in 2017BBC/12 Yard Productions/Alan Peeble

As well as having lie-ins in the mornings, Turnbull went on to host BBC One's Think Tank quiz and present a programme on Classic FM. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.