Former BBC North West Tonight presenter Beccy Barr has sadly died.
The 46-year-old broadcaster, who swapped her TV career to become a firefighter, was diagnosed with incurable cancer last year. Her sad passing was confirmed by her family on X on Monday (July 22).
The statement read: “I’m sharing the very sad news that Beccy passed away peacefully this morning. She spent her last few days at St John’s Hospice who provided the most dignified & compassionate care to Beccy & her whole family. Donations to the hospice can be made in Beccy’s memory.’
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Beccy’s sister Jennifer Pomphrey paid a moving tribute to her sibling. She wrote: “This morning Beccy passed away peacefully at St John’s Hospice in Lancaster.
(Image: BBC)
“They offered the most dignified and compassionate care for the last few days of her life. Beccy led an incredible life that I will post about on her account in the near future along with details of her funeral.
“For now, I just want to say that I was incredibly blessed to have such an amazing sister. She was a very loved daughter, granddaughter and niece. More than anything she was a wonderful mother to Hannah.
“If you wish to show your love please send donations to St John’s Hospice in Beccy’s memory. Please feel free to leave messages, we will read them and take comfort in them but may not reply whilst we take time to be together as a family.”
(Image: BBC)
Becky’s career started in print journalism as a reporter for The Blackpool Citizen before she moved to the big smoke to join Money Marketing. She also had stints at BBC Radio 5 Live, reporting for BBC Inside Out and Sunday Politics North West.
The mother-of-one first joined the BBC show as a presenter and reporter back in 2013. She previously spent five years in financial news at CNBC in the heart of London.
But after 20 years in journalism, the blonde bombshell decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and joined Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in 2019. The former reporter explained she was inspired to change careers because she wanted to “learn a new trade from scratch”.
(Image: beccybarr/Instagram)
She told the BBC at the time: “I still really love being a journalist but it has been nearly 20 years and I’m ready for a change and a different challenge.” In 2023, Becky informed her followers on social media that she had been diagnosed with incurable cancer.
The reporter wrote at the time: “Two lessons I’ve learned from this distinctly sub-optimal experience: 1) Life is wild. 2) People have an utterly astounding and boundless capacity for love, care and friendship.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
