William Robert Jolyon Turnbull was a British journalist and presenter, who in later life worked as a presenter for the radio station Classic FM, after many years as a presenter with the BBC.
He was the main male presenter of BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2016 and presented the religious series Songs of Praise and the game show Think Tank.
Turnbull was born in Guildford, Surrey, on 25 January 1956, to an English father of Scottish ancestry and an English mother.
He was educated at Eton College and the University of Edinburgh, where he edited the student newspaper. He graduated from Cardiff University in 1978.
Turnbull’s career began at Scottish local station Radio Clyde in 1978, and later, he freelanced for a number of years in the USA.
Turnbull joined the BBC as a reporter for the Today programme in 1986 and Breakfast Time as a reporter in 1988, before becoming a correspondent for BBC News in 1990. He covered a wide range of domestic and international stories, reporting from over thirty countries including a four-year stint as Washington Correspondent, based in the USA. His producer for a while was Sian Williams. In this role, he reported on a number of major American stories, including the O. J. Simpson murder trial and the Monica Lewinsky scandal that rocked Bill Clinton’s presidency.
In 1997, Turnbull moved back to the UK and became one of the main presenters on BBC News 24, appearing alongside Valerie Sanderson. He also presented regular programs on Radio 5 Live, including a stint as a presenter on Weekend Breakfast.
Turnbull joined the BBC Breakfast team in 2001 as a weekend presenter, presenting with Sian Williams initially and then later with Sarah Montague, Mishal Husain, and Susanna Reid.
He also regularly appeared as a relief presenter on the weekday program, with Sophie Raworth, Natasha Kaplinsky, Kate Silverton, and Louise Minchin.
He became the main weekday presenter of Breakfast in 2008, rejoining Williams and replacing Dermot Murnaghan. Turnbull was also an occasional relief presenter of News at Six and News at One.
Bill Turnbull TV Shows
Angel Falls Christmas (TV Movie)
Bob
2020Private Eyes (TV Series)
Trent Shakeley
- Tappa Kegga Daily (2020) … Trent Shakeley
2020Fatman
Elf 23
2019The Boys (TV Series)
Trevor - Good for the Soul (2019) … Trevor
- Cherry (2019) … Trevor
2018Little Italy
Hipster Barista
2017Haunters: The Musical (TV Series)
Gary - Jerk Move (2017) … Gary
- In Your Nature (2017) … Gary
- On the Other Hand PT.1 (2017) … Gary
- Jerks (2017) … Gary
2014-2017The Stanley Dynamic (TV Series)
Doop / Doop (2014) - The Stanley Halloween (2017) … Doop
- The Stanley Cruise (2017) … Doop
- The Stanley Smothered Brothers (2017) … Doop
- The Stanley Honour (2016) … Doop
- The Stanley Cook-Off (2016) … Doop
Show all 40 episodes
2017Todd and the Book of Pure Evil: The End of the End
Curtis Weaver (voice)
2017Salvation (TV Series)
Carnahan - Another Trip Around the Sun (2017) … Carnahan
- Pilot (2017) … Carnahan
2016Paradise Inc. (TV Series) - Episode #1.1 (2016)
2013Cottage Country
Stoned Kid
2012Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (TV Movie)
Simon
2012Degrassi: The Next Generation (TV Series)
Max - Building a Mystery: Part 1 (2012) … Max
- Sabotage: Part 1 (2012) … Max
- Closer to Free: Part 2 (2012) … Max
- Closer to Free: Part 1 (2012) … Max
- Walking on Broken Glass: Part 2 (2012) … Max
2012The Vow
Funky Clerk
2010-2012Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (TV Series)
Curtis Weaver - Black Tie Showdown (2012) … Curtis Weaver
- The Toddyssey (2012) … Curtis Weaver
- B.Y.O.B.O.P.E. (2012) … Curtis Weaver
- Deathday Cake (2012) … Curtis Weaver
- 2 Girls, 1 Tongue (2012) … Curtis Weaver
Show all 26 episodes
2009-2011Being Erica (TV Series)
Dave / M.C. - Dr. Erica (2011) … Dave
- Erica’s Adventures in Wonderland (2011) … Dave
- Being Ethan (2011) … Dave
- The Road Less Travelled: Part 5 (2010) … Dave
- The Road Less Travelled: Part 4 (2010) … Dave
Show all 23 episodes
2009The Best Years (TV Series)
Travis - Destiny (2009) … Travis
2007-2009The Jon Dore Television Show (TV Series)
Writers Room: Writer #1 / Writers Room: Nerdy Writer #1 - Jon Saves the Planet (2009) … Writers Room: Writer #1
- STD (2007) … Writers Room: Nerdy Writer #1
2008True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet (TV Movie)
Dan
2006American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (Video)
Beer Guy
2004The Right Way
Matt
1999Tales from the Cryptkeeper (TV Series)
Teen Clerk - It’s for You (1999) … Teen Clerk (voice)
1998Eerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension (TV Series)
Bully - The Phantom (1998) … Bully (as Billy Turnbull)
1997Real Kids, Real Adventures (TV Series)
Bean
1996Goosebumps (TV Series)
Sam - Ghost Beach (1996) … Sam
1995Johnny & Clyde (TV Movie)
Football Player
