BBC presenter Harry Gration dies as devastated co-stars pay tribute

BBC presenter Harry Gration has died suddenly aged 71, it was announced on Friday

BBC presenter Harry Gration has died suddenly aged 71.

BBC Yorkshire announced Harry's death on Twitter on Friday evening as the network paid tribute to their "much loved friend and colleague".

Harry was best known for hosting BBC Yorkshire's Look North news. He joined the show in 1982 with his final appearance in 2020.

BBC Look North presenter Amy Garcia broke down in tears as she announced Harry's death live on air.

Amy's voice broke as she said: "As we close the programme tonight, I have some very sad news to share with you all. Our much loved friend and colleague Harry Gration very suddenly died today. We all at Look North are absolutely devastated to give you this news.

"Next week will give our time to pay tribute to Harry properly as that's what he deserves."

Harry was best known for hosting BBC Yorkshire's Look North news (pictured on his last show in 2020)

Image:

( BBC)

BBC Yorkshire added in a statement on Twitter: "Our much loved friend and colleague Harry Gration died suddenly today. We are absolutely heartbroken to give you this news.

"Tonight our hearts go out to Harry's wife Helen, their children and all of Harry's family and friends."

Harry's wife Helen, with who he had three children, paid tribute and told the BBC: "He will forever be with us."She added: "Our three boys and I loved Harry totally. We had an awful lot of fun with him and our home was his life."

Tributes soon flooded in from fans and co-stars, with BBC Director-General Tim Davie telling the BBC: "Harry Gration MBE was an outstanding broadcaster and commentator.

"He had a real connection with the public who saw him as one of their own.

"Loved everywhere, but especially in Yorkshire, he will be hugely missed by his many fans and friends. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

Meanwhile, a fan wrote on Twitter: "Sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at @BBCLookNorth. He was Look North, a man you could deliver the news with empathy, humour and enthusiasm & who clearly loved his job. #RIPHarry you’ll be missed."

Another added: "So sad. Such a lovely, kind, caring man. Running a 10K & I got injured, Harry ran passed me but said I’ll finish the run & come back for you. The world is a sadder place today. RIP Harry, condolences to your family."

While a third chimed: "Terribly sad news. Harry was a Yorkshire legend."

Harry pictured with ITV Yorkshire presenter Christine Talbot

Others praised Amy for how she handled announcing the news live on air.

One wrote: "@AmyGarciauk did a great job on look north just now with the announcement, can't have been easy with no time to prepare and having to do that on live TV".

While another viewer added: "Poor Amy having to announce it live she was in bits..."

Harry was awarded an MBE for his services to broadcasting in 2013.

Harry joined Yorkshire's Look North news in 1982

Image:

( BBC)

Bradford-born Harry is adored in Yorkshire where he started out as a history teacher while filing sports reports to the BBC.

After becoming a presenter he covered devastating stories including Hillsborough, the murder of Jo Cox MP and the Bradford riots.

The host struggled to contain his emotions as he hosted his final programme in 2020 and was left in tears after a video chat with old pal Sir Michael Parkinson on his last show.

Harry was awarded an MBE for his services to broadcasting in 2013

Image:

( Getty Images)

The father-of-six named getting his MBE in 2013 and his 2014 trip to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan as the highlights of his career.

He said of his retirement in 2020 that "reaching the big 70” felt like the right time to step back, with the show also going down to one presenter, his co-host Amy Garcia.

Tearful Harry told viewers on his last show: "I’m going to take a deep breath because as you may know this is my last ever programme for Look North.

"I’ve been coming down here to Barnsley since I first started in 1981. I’ve always loved it because people tell it to you straight."

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