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The GRand York York

Shock as broadcasting legend Harry Gration dies suddenly

A broadcasting legend: Harry Gration. Photograph: BBC
Friday 24 June, 2022 @ 7.18 pm News YorkMix
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Tributes have been pouring in to the legendary broadcaster and York resident Harry Gration who has died suddenly.

The 71-year-old became a Yorkshire institution after fronting the corporation’s Look North programme for 38 years.

The news was announced by his former co-presenter, an emotional Amy Garcia, at the end of BBC Look North this evening.

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 we will take our time to pay tribute to Harry properly – that’s what he deserves.

“But tonight our hearts go out to Harry’s wife Helen, their children, and all of Harry’s friends.

“I know that you will want to pay tribute to him as well. Good night.”

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Christine Talbot and Harry Gration at the York Theatre Royal earlier this year. Photograph: Richard McDougall

‘He will forever be with us’

Harry’s wife, Helen, paid tribute to her husband tonight, saying: “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.”

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: “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.”

One of the first to pay tribute was YorkMix news man and former colleague of Harry, David Dunning.

Oh no @BBCLookNorth just reported @GrationHarry has died. Such a good bloke. Worked with him in both #york and #southampton My deepest sympathies to his family in #york More to follow on @theyorkmix soon pic.twitter.com/IJefRaxaio

— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 24, 2022

Jason Horton, acting director, BBC England, said Mr Gration was “one of the true broadcasting greats”.

“He was a natural on the television and on radio, adored by our audiences, especially as the trusted face of Look North and South Today.

“He loved news, sport, his colleagues and fundraising for Children in Need and Comic Relief. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and everyone across the BBC who he worked with.”

Nine Olympics

Born in Bradford, he moved to York with his father’s work, and was educated at St Peter’s School in the city. He has lived here for many years.

Harry joined the BBC in 1978 after working as a history teacher, and joined Look North in 1982, although he left for a spell working on BBC South Today in the 1990s.

He covered nine Olympic Games for the BBC and won two Royal Television Society (RTS) awards for his sports documentaries: White Rose In Africa in 1992 and Dickie Bird: A Rare Species in 1997.

Harry with Keeley Donovan on Look North. Photograph: BBC
An emotional Amy Garcia announces the very sad news on BBC Look North on Friday evening. Photograph: Screengrab

Huge credit to Amy Garcia of BBC Yorkshire for her grace and composure – she’s clearly *just* been given this devastating news to announce on-air.

Thoughts with her and all her colleagues this evening, as they mourn the loss of their beloved friend, Harry Gration. pic.twitter.com/PskWopdddd

— Owen Williams 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇦 (@OwsWills) June 24, 2022
Harry’s last Look North

And he won the RTS Best Presenter award twice.

In 2019, Harry became a father again at the age of 68, when his wife, Helen, gave birth to his sixth child.

Harry was a devoted dad as this Instagram post from earlier in the year shows.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Harry Gration (@mrharrygration)

Even after retiring from the BBC, Harry led an active life. He was tweeting from The Yorkshire Society’s jubilee charity dinner six days ago, where he was guest speaker, an event which raised £4,000 for Ukraine.

Aside from broadcasting, Harry had been president of the Scarborough Cricket Festival, chairman of the Yorkshire Tourist Board Tourism Awards and was involved with numerous charities.

He was also a deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

Some pictures of the man, the legend, Harry Gration. RIP.

Harry on the Look North sofa, as millions loved him
A dad again – Harry Gration. Photograph: Richard McDougall
Harry Gration, Amy Garcia and Paul Hudson hop aboard the famous red Look North sofa by the River Ouse in York in 2018. Photograph: Richard McDougall
With weather presenter Paul Hudson and co-host Amy Garcia. Photograph: BBC
Harry Gration greets runners at the York Marathon in 2016

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