Referrals for prostate cancer spiked in the wake of the death of much-loved Suffolk TV presenter Bill Turnbull, Prostate Cancer UK said.

The charity confirmed on Thursday that analysis of NHS data shows a record 25,000 patients were referred for suspected urological cancer in England in November 2022 – in which prostate cancer makes up the vast majority.

Mr Turnbull, a long-time presenter of BBC Breakfast, lived for many years in east Suffolk and died, aged 66, at his home in Theberton on August 31 last year.

He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.

Mr Turnbull's funeral was held at Holy Trinity Church in Blythburgh on September 16 and was attended by a number of his former BBC colleagues.

Laura Kerby, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “This year, in honour of Bill’s incredible legacy, we’re asking people to ‘Broadcast it like Bill’ and raise awareness of the disease – encouraging as many men as possible to take our 30-second risk checker to learn if they’re at risk, and if so, what they can do about it.”

There were 20,732 referrals for suspected urological cancer in June this year, which marks a 21% increase on the same month in 2019.

In June 2023, there were 6,144 treatments for urological cancer which marks a 24% increase from before the pandemic.