Harry Gration dies suddenly aged 71: BBC Tributes

June 24, 2022
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Harry Gration suddenly died today (Friday 24th June) at the age of 71. His death was announced at the end of BBC Look North Yorkshire, BBC Look North East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and BBC South Today. Each announced the news with a tribute slide at the end of the programme.

Tributes not only came from all three programmes, but from the BBC Director-General Tim Davie, who called Harry “an outstanding broadcaster and commentator” and said how he was “[l]oved everywhere, but especially in Yorkshire”.

The news was a top trend on Twitter soon afterwards, and was the most read story on the BBC News website as well.

Amy Garcia, live from Wakefield, announcing the news of Harry Gration's death at the end of the programme. She is very emotional as the camera zooms in.
Amy Garcia announces the news of Harry Gration's death

Other tributes came from Carol Vorderman, who worked with ITV Calendar’s Richard Whiteley on Countdown for a quarter of a century, calling him a “wonderful, funny, kind gentleman”, and from Labour MP Dan Jarvis, calling him a “legend” and saying “Yorkshire will be a lesser place without him”.

The BBC Look North Yorkshire ending slate, with a large picture of Harry Gration smiling for a publicity shot. There is a large name caption underneath, a plain black background, and a BBC Look North copyright caption

The ending slate from BBC Look North Yorkshire. Amy Garcia announced the death of Harry Gration at the end of the programme in an incredibly emotional tribute, and promised a longer, fuller tribute at the start of the week.

The ending slate from BBC South Today. Anjana Gadgil also promised that there would be a longer tribute to him on South Today on Monday.

Harry presented on South Today for four years before returning to Look North

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The BBC Look North East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire tribute slate, with the same large picture of Harry Gration smiling for a publicity shot as the other Look North tribute. There is a large name caption underneath, a plain black background, and a "1950-2022" caption at the bottom.

Peter Levy on BBC Look North East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire broke the news of Harry Gration’s death at the end of the programme. He called him “one of the great broadcasters of our time”.

The tribute clip from Amy Garcia was shared on Twitter; Amy Garcia had presented with Harry on Look North until his retirement one day before his birthday in 2020. 

Harry Gration was made the honorary Mayor of the North Yorkshire village of Burn in December 2009. He was appointed as an MBE in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, a Crown appointment made by the Lord-Lieutenant of the North Yorkshire Lieutenancy.

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