Beccy Barr, a former BBC presenter who bravely transitioned to a career as a firefighter, has died at the age of 46 after a courageous battle with incurable cancer. Her passing occurred early Sunday morning, and she spent her final days receiving care at St. John’s Hospice in Lancaster, which provided her and her family with compassionate support.
Before her foray into firefighting, Barr had a distinguished career in journalism, starting at The Blackpool Citizen, then moving on to Money Marketing in London, and spending significant time at BBC North West Tonight starting in 2013. She also contributed to BBC Radio 5 Live and other regional programs. In 2019, following two decades in journalism, Barr decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and joined the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, seeking a new challenge and the opportunity to learn a trade from scratch.
The announcement of her death was made on social media by her family, who praised the dignified and compassionate care provided by St. John’s Hospice. Her family has requested that donations be made to the hospice in Beccy’s memory.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, viewers, and listeners who remembered Barr as a talented journalist and a dedicated firefighter. Annabel Tiffin, a presenter at BBC North West, described Barr as “feisty and fearless,” and MP Cat Smith highlighted her enthusiasm and positive impact on the world.
BBC Manchester released a statement expressing sorrow over Barr’s death, reflecting on her significant contributions to journalism and her remarkable strength in facing her illness. Our thoughts are with Beccy’s family and friends,” the statement read.
Her sister, Jennifer Pomphrey, shared a heartfelt tribute: “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, niece, and most of all, a wonderful mother to her daughter Hannah.”
Beccy Barr’s story is one of bravery and resilience, marked by her professional achievements and her valiant fight against cancer. Her legacy will continue to inspire those who know her and many others in the community.
