Former BBC presenter Beccy Barr dies from cancer aged 46

Former BBC presenter Beccy Barr has died after a battle with incurable abdominal cancer. She was 46.

Her sister confirmed the sad news in a message on X and Instagram.

"I'm sharing the very sad news that Beccy passed away peacefully this morning," she statement began.

"She spent her last few days at @SJHospice who provided the most dignified & compassionate care to Beccy & her whole family."

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"Donations to the hospice can be made in Beccy's memory."

Barr is survived by her daughter Hannah.

"This morning Beccy passed away peacefully at St John's Hospice in Lancaster. They offered the most dignified and compassionate care for the last few days of her life," Barr's sister added in a lengthier post on Instagram.

"Beccy led an incredible life that I will post about on her account in the near future along with details of her funeral.

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"For now, I just want to say that I was incredibly blessed to have such an amazing sister. She was a very loved daughter, granddaughter and niece. More than anything she was a wonderful mother to Hannah.

"If you wish to show your love please send donations to @stjohnshospice in Beccy's memory. Please feel free to leave messages, we will read them and take comfort in them but may not reply whilst we take time to be together as a family."

Barr worked for BBC North West Tonight from 2013 until 2019. She also worked at BBC Radio 5 Live, reporting for BBC Inside Out and Sunday Politics North West.

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In 2019, Barr left the network to follow in her father's footsteps as a firefighter with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Former North West Tonight colleague Annabel Tiffin shared her condolences, describing Barr as a "feisty, fearless woman".

Current North West Tonight presenter Roger Johnson commented: "Beccy was courageous in so many ways.

Chris Brindley, editor of BBC North West, said the former presenter was a "much-loved part of the team".

He added: "Those who worked with Beccy will remember her as an inspiration and those who watched her will remember her as a really talented journalist and presenter."

"In the way she faced her illness, of course, but she also had the courage to walk away from a successful TV career to retrain as a firefighter.

"She wanted to make a difference and she excelled at that, too."

He added his thoughts were with her family.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue shared their condolences, writing that they were "deeply saddened" to hear of her death.

"Beccy was a dedicated and courageous firefighter who served with professionalism and compassion," they said. "She was an enthusiastic and warm person who became an inspiration to many."

Lancashire's chief fire officer, Justin Johnston, told the BBC it was an "incredibly sad day" adding that Barr "made a really big impact in her short time - five years - with us."

"Our hearts go out to her family, her friends and her work colleagues here at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service," he added.

Barr began her career as a journalist at the Blackpool Citizen in her early 20s before moving to Bloomberg News and CNBC in New York.

She then moved back to Lancashire and joined the BBC.

Barr revealed her cancer diagnosis on Christmas Eve last year, writing on X: "Earlier this year I was diagnosed with incurable cancer.

"Two lessons I've learned from this distinctly sub-optimal experience: 1) Life is wild.

"2) People have an utterly astounding and boundless capacity for love, care and friendship."

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