TV presenter dies aged 57
GRANADA REPORTS STAR DIES AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER
EMOTIONAL tributes are flooding in after the death of ITV Granada Reports presenter Tony Morris.
Tony Morris, who lived in Ramsbottom, died at the age of 57 after being diagnosed with kidney cancer last year, ITV confirmed.
Mr Morris died at Bury Hospice on Saturday morning surrounded by his family - who have urged people not to send flowers, but to donate to the hospice where he was cared for by nurses with ‘kindness and respect.’
Viewers and colleagues in the north west have been left shocked and heartbroken after watching Mr Morris present nightly for more than a decade, even until just a few weeks ago.
In total, the journalist spent 17 years on screen covering some of the region’s most challenging and important stories, including the Manchester Arena bombing.
Many people have taken to social media to share their special memories of Mr Morris, naming him a ‘north west legend.’
His daughter and fellow journalist, Natalie Morris, led tributes from the family, saying: “We lost our incredible dad on Saturday morning.
“He was more than a parent, he was also our best friend. We are utterly heartbroken, but so grateful for the time we had with him.
“We ask that rather than sending flowers people make a donation to Bury Hospice.”
Staff at ITV’s Granada Reports are ‘heartbroken’ as they come to terms with the loss.
Mr Morris’ co-presenter Lucy Meacock shared that the pair had a ‘special bond’ that made for a ‘great partnership’ on the mainstay news show.
She said: “He was without doubt one of the most humble, kind and funny people I have ever met, and he would often make me laugh till my sides ached.
“I am so very, very sad.”