BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst Pays Emotional Tribute to Beloved Colleague Following Tragic Death
BBC Breakfast presenter Nina Warhurst has paid a heartfelt tribute to her colleague, Beccy Barr, who tragically passed away at age 46 after a battle with cancer. The BBC regular expressed her sadness over Beccy’s death. Beccy, a popular TV journalist, left her on-screen career in 2019 to become a firefighter in Lancashire, following in her father Roy’s footsteps.
Nina and Beccy worked together at the BBC, both based out of the corporation’s hub in MediaCityUK in Salford, Greater Manchester. Re-sharing a post confirming Beccy’s passing, Nina said, “What I liked about Beccy was that if she wasn’t happy with something, she made a change. She got on with it. I love that energy in people. Hers was rare and everyone who met her felt it. Thinking of her daughter, who she absolutely adored.”
Beccy’s passing was confirmed in a post shared on her official Twitter account, stating she had died following a battle with incurable cancer. The post read, “I’m sharing the very sad news that Beccy passed away peacefully this morning. She spent her last few days at @SJHospice, which provided the most dignified & compassionate care to Beccy & her whole family. Donations to the hospice can be made in Beccy’s memory”, told HELLO!
Beccy was diagnosed with cancer towards the end of last year. She studied Newspaper Journalism at City University between 2001 and 2002 and later earned a Master’s in Crisis Management at Bournemouth University between 2021 and 2023. Her journalism career included stints at the Blackpool Citizen, BBC’s North West Tonight, Bloomberg News, and CNBC.
Following her diagnosis, Beccy shared her journey on LinkedIn: “Earlier this year I was diagnosed with incurable and (to some extent) treatable cancer. Practically, this means I feel well and I’m on an immunotherapy regime that may keep me well for a period of time.”
She continued, “I’m sharing this very personal information because this experience has shown me that people living with cancer can adapt to this new reality at work in fruitful and fulfilling ways. Both to the benefit of the person (me!) and the employer.”
Beccy also expressed gratitude for the support she received from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, under the leadership of Justin Johnston, and her friends at work. “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, under the very compassionate leadership of Justin Johnston, and my personal friends at work have been phenomenally supportive of me – both in being off work and crucially in using my skills in a new direction as I have returned.”
Beccy’s passing has left a profound impact on her colleagues and friends, who remember her for her energy, determination, and the deep love she had for her daughter.