In a poignant and unplanned moment, BBC Morning Live halted its regular schedule on Tuesday to broadcast a moving tribute to Dave Marsh, the late father of presenter Kym Marsh.
A Sombre Pause in the Schedule
The live programme, presented by Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton, took a solemn turn following a segment on the day's major health headlines. The presenters had been discussing new research indicating that prostate cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK for the first time.
Consulting the show's medical expert, Dr Xand van Tulleken, co-host Helen Skelton acknowledged the anxiety such news can cause. "These headlines will be triggering for people, they will be scary and understandably so for a lot of people," she said. Dr Xand agreed, noting the particular difficulty of conversations around prostate cancer as case numbers rise.
Remembering Dave Marsh's Legacy
Helen Skelton then seamlessly connected the medical discussion to a personal story close to the show's heart. She reminded viewers that the subject was deeply personal, following the death of their colleague Kym Marsh's father, Dave, from prostate cancer in 2024 at the age of 78.
"Today we're looking back at his legacy and how his calls for people to get checked truly saved lives," Skelton stated. The show then cut to a specially prepared memorial video for Dave Marsh, featuring archived clips of his appearances on Morning Live with his daughter.
A heartfelt voiceover played over the footage, describing Dave as a "true gem" – warm, funny, caring, and always willing to give his time to help others. Following the tribute, an emotional Helen Skelton reflected, "I don't think you can say Dave's name without smiling and that is an incredible legacy. Everybody he met, he embraced with warmth and made them smile."
Gethin Jones added his own memories, recalling Dave's kindness and humour, especially when he appeared on screen with Kym. Dr Xand also paid his respects, calling Dave a "sweetie" and a "lovely man," and praising him for his crucial role in speaking openly about prostate cancer to boost public awareness.
A Daughter's Ongoing Tribute
The television tribute came just days after Kym Marsh herself marked the second anniversary of her father's passing with a poignant social media post. On Monday, January 12, she shared a beaming photograph of herself with her father alongside a heartfelt caption.
"2 years since you left us dad. We miss you every day. Life will never be the same without you," she wrote. "What I would give for one more cuddle, one of your silly jokes or to hear your voice. I love you so very much poppa bear. I hope I'm making you proud. Always your shadow dad."
In further posts, the actress and presenter shared additional family photos, simply stating: "Oh how I miss you daddy... My heart hurts."
The segment on BBC Morning Live served as a powerful reminder of the human stories behind cancer statistics, celebrating one man's lasting impact in the fight for greater awareness and early detection of prostate cancer.
