Veteran BBC news presenter of 30 years, Harry Gration, the former presenter of BBC Yorkshire’s Look North news programme, has died ‘suddenly’ aged 71 today

Harry Gration, a seasoned BBC newscaster, passed away “suddenly” at age 71.

Having joined the company in 1978 and Look North in 1982, Mr. Gration, the former host of BBC Yorkshire’s Look North news program, left his position in 2020.

In addition to winning two Royal Television Society awards for sports documentaries, he received an MBE in 2019. Additionally, he twice took home the RTS Best Presenter honor.

He will always be with us, his 53-year-old wife Helen Gration praised her husband.

In 2019, when he was 68 and she was 50, the couple had their third child, Harrison.

“Our three boys and I were complete Harry fans. His life was in our home, and we had a ton of fun with him.

Because IVF is not permitted for women Mrs. Gration’s age under UK law, the couple had to use an egg donor and go to Cyprus for their IVF procedure.

The infant was born after trolls warned the TV host that the couple would be too old to care for their new child in remarks delivered in June.

‘You do have some people on social media who have terrible things to say, but I am taking it all on the chin,’ Mr. Gration said in response to the allegations at the time.

Harry Gration MBE was a superb broadcaster and commentator, said BBC director general Tim Davie in a tribute to the late host.

He developed a strong bond with the populace, who accepted him as one of their own. He was adored worldwide, but particularly in Yorkshire, and he will be sadly missed by all of his friends and admirers.

During this trying time, our thoughts are with his family.

When Amy Garcia of BBC Yorkshire broke the news of Mr. Gration’s tragic death live on air this evening, she had to hold back her tears.

“As we end the programme tonight, I have some very sad news to share with you all,” she said to the audience while broadcasting live from Wakefield. Harry Gration, a dear friend and coworker, passed away today.

We are all utterly heartbroken to share this news with you at Look North. We shall take our time paying Harry the due honor the next week since that is what he deserves.

Our thoughts are with Harry’s wife Helen, their kids, and all of his friends tonight because we know they want to honor him as well.

The 71-year-old Bradford native started his career at the BBC by completing match reports while also working as a history teacher in the middle of the 1970s.

Gration was hailed as “one of the true broadcasting greats” by Jason Horton, acting director of BBC England.

He was a natural on radio and television and loved by our listeners, especially as the dependable face of Look North and South Today, the speaker continued.

He cherished sports, news, his coworkers, and fundraising for charities like Children in Need and Comic Relief. Our sympathies are with his family, his friends, and every individual he worked with at the BBC.

In 2013, he received an MBE for his broadcasting-related contributions. Gration remarked, “I’ve interviewed every prime leader since Margaret Thatcher, covered every important Look North story even at the price of my holidays, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” after it was revealed he would be leaving the BBC in 2020.

“I’ve always been the protagonist.” Horrific incidents like the shocking news of Jo Cox’s passing, the recent terrible floods, the Bradford riots, and Hillsborough have always had an impact on me. They were constantly a threat to my county.

Three trials that my body will never forget include moving a sofa, being tied to Paul, and raising more than £800,000 on a tandem.

At the age of 68, Gration once more became a father in 2019 when his wife Helen gave birth to their sixth child.