Jill Dando was murdered on the doorstep of her west London home 20 years ago this month in a brutal killing that shocked the nation. The 37-year-old Crimewatch presenter was engaged to be married to consultant gynaecologist Alan Farthing at the time and the pair were due to marry five months later. Mr Farthing, now 55, has come to prominence in the intervening years for his medical prowess. On the King Edward VII’s Hospital website, he is described as a gynaecologist who specialises in “complex surgery”.

The website states of Mr Farthing: “In particular he is one of the country’s most experienced laparoscopic (keyhole) surgeons and many of his patients have been referred by other gynaecologists because of his surgical expertise.”

The doctor is listed as the Head of Department at the Gynaecological Cancer at Imperial College Hospitals NHS Trust.

What is Alan Farthing’s link to Kate, Duchess of Cambridge?

Mr Farthing works at several London hospitals – including St Mary’s where he helped to deliver all three of the Duchess of Cambridge’s children.

The medical practitioner was named as a member of the core delivery team at the births of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

He has a private Harley Street practice and has been a consultant at St Mary’s since 1997.

In his personal life, Mr Farthing found love again almost nine years after the death of Ms Dando.

He married Dr Janet Stowell in a small, civil ceremony in 2008.

Relatives and friends of the journalist were said to be “extremely pleased” at the time.

What happened to Jill Dando?

Dando was shot in broad daylight outside her Fulham home at midday on April 26, 1999, with a single bullet to the head.

She had arrived at her home following a Hammersmith shopping trip, hours after spending the night at Mr Farthing’s home in Chiswick.

The broadcaster’s body was discovered by a neighbour and she was rushed to Charing Cross Hospital but was declared dead on arrival at 1.03pm BST.

Barry George was arrested, charged and later convicted of Ms Dando’s murder by a 10-1 jury majority.

He spent several years in prison before being acquitted on August 1, 2008, following a second court appeal.

The journalist’s murderer remains at large.

A BBC1 documentary re-examining her death airs tonight at 9pm.

Interviewees include Ms Dando’s brother, cousin, friends and colleagues.

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