Beloved Westminster correspondent Harry Smith has died.
The family of the reporter confirmed that he died suddenly on Friday.
They said in a statement on Twitter: “From Harry’s family: Very sadly Harry died suddenly early on Friday morning. It’s so hard to believe his energy and sense of fun are gone. Many of you will have known him for his strong opinions and humour on here. He’ll be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues.”
Harry, who was born in 1951, also spent time working for ITN, Channel 4 and Aljazeera during his career.
He began his career in 1969 as editor of local newspaper Forfar Dispatch, before moving to Bristol to work as a reporter for the Western Daily.
His career later took him back to his native Scotland in 1979, with a job at Radio Forth, before he joined the BBC a year later.
Harry also spent time as ITN News’ Home Affairs Correspondent, before leaving in 2007 when he joined STV as their Westminster Correspondent.
His former colleagues rushed to pay tribute to him after news of his sad death.
BBC’s Chris Mason tweeted: “What desperately sad news. It was always a joy to see Harry around Westminster; a face and voice on the television throughout my life. My condolences.”
Writer Alastair Campbell added: “So sorry to hear this. He was a lovely man and a proper journalist.”
The BBC’s Rory Cellan-Jones posted: “What terrible news. A great reporter”
COMMENTS
Beloved Westminster correspondent Harry Smith dies suddenly
Beloved Westminster correspondent Harry Smith has died.
The family of the reporter confirmed that he died suddenly on Friday.
They said in a statement on Twitter: “From Harry’s family: Very sadly Harry died suddenly early on Friday morning. It’s so hard to believe his energy and sense of fun are gone. Many of you will have known him for his strong opinions and humour on here. He’ll be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues.”
Harry, who was born in 1951, also spent time working for ITN, Channel 4 and Aljazeera during his career.
He began his career in 1969 as editor of local newspaper Forfar Dispatch, before moving to Bristol to work as a reporter for the Western Daily.
Harry’s family announced his sad death in a tweet
His career later took him back to his native Scotland in 1979, with a job at Radio Forth, before he joined the BBC a year later.
Harry also spent time as ITN News’ Home Affairs Correspondent, before leaving in 2007 when he joined STV as their Westminster Correspondent.
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His former colleagues rushed to pay tribute to him after news of his sad death.
BBC’s Chris Mason tweeted: “What desperately sad news. It was always a joy to see Harry around Westminster; a face and voice on the television throughout my life. My condolences.”
Writer Alastair Campbell added: “So sorry to hear this. He was a lovely man and a proper journalist.”
The BBC’s Rory Cellan-Jones posted: “What terrible news. A great reporter”
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The Guardian’s Jim Waterson commented: “He was such a nice man. Let us steal his desk in the lobby for years and didn’t care a jot as long as we made sure he got his event invites.”
Channel 4 anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy also paid tribute.
He wrote: “I’m so sorry to hear this news. He will indeed be sorely missed. Was great to have him part of the C4N family in recent years after so long at ITN/STV. That’s a great picture you have posted of him. My best wishes and condolences.”
STV’s political editor Colin Mackay added: “Very sad news. I’ve really enjoyed his tweets since he retired and his comments on the news carried a great careers worth of insight.”
