Beccy Barr: Former BBC TV presenter and firefighter dies

An ex-BBC TV host who changed professions to become a firefighter has passed away.

Beccy Barr was part of BBC North West Tonight starting in 2013, but in 2019 she moved on to take a position with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

The individual from Lancaster, who is now 46, received a diagnosis of untreatable stomach cancer in the year 2023.

The former journalist's sister announced on her social media account that she had passed away peacefully earlier that day. Her former colleague from North West Tonight, Annabel Tiffin, described her as a strong, brave woman.

Roger Johnson, who currently hosts the show, stated: "Beccy showed bravery in various ways.

She showed bravery in how she dealt with her illness, but she also had the guts to leave her thriving TV job and pursue retraining as a firefighter.

"She was determined to have an impact and she succeeded in doing so."

He said he was thinking about her family.

The firefighter, a part of Lancashire Fire and Rescue service's Red Watch in Blackburn, followed her father's lead by joining the service.

She also completed her Master of Science degree at the Disaster Management Centre of Bournemouth University.

The fire department expressed their sorrow upon hearing the news and stated that Beccy was a committed and brave firefighter who worked with skill and kindness.

She was a passionate and friendly individual who served as a source of motivation for numerous people.

The top fire official in Lancashire, Justin Johnston, expressed his deep sorrow during an interview with the BBC.

He described Ms Barr as an exceptional professional with extensive knowledge and a strong enthusiasm for firefighting methods and service improvement.

He mentioned that she had a significant influence during her brief five-year tenure with us.

He described her as a very energetic individual who left a great impact everywhere she went.

We send our sympathies to her loved ones, friends, and coworkers at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Lancaster and Wyre Member of Parliament Cat Smith, along with many others, honored Ms. Barr on various online platforms. The Labour MP praised Ms. Barr for her dedication and enthusiasm in improving the world, which was unmatched by anyone.

Chris Brindley, who oversees BBC North West, expressed that the previous host was a cherished member of the group.

He stated: "Anyone who collaborated with Beccy will recall her as a source of inspiration, while those who followed her will always see her as a highly skilled journalist and host."

Ms. Barr began her career in journalism at the Blackpool Citizen when she was in her early twenties. She later worked for Bloomberg News and CNBC in New York before returning to Lancashire to become part of the BBC team.

She served as a leader for Girlguiding for an extended period of time, with her most recent role being in charge of a Rainbow group at St Paul's Church in Scotforth.

An avid member of the triathlon community, she took part in IronmanUK and numerous endurance athletic competitions.

Ms. Barr's beloved daughter, Hannah, is the one who lived on after her.