Farewell to a ‘ Yorkshire treasure’
HE HAS been a familiar sight to viewers for almost 40 years. A teatime friend, Harry Gration has presented Look North to generations of Yorkshire folk.
Now he has opened up to
The Yorkshire Post about his “traumatic” decision to leave the broadcaster after four decades and paid tribute to the viewers.
The 69- year- old has become a Yorkshire institution. For the last seven, he has shared the screen with Amy Garcia, who will now continue to front the show on her own following Gration’s last show next Wednesday – the day before his 70th birthday.
He told The Yorkshire Post: “I’m incredibly sad, I’ve been very emotional about it... It’s been a very difficult time to be honest, when you have done what I’ve done for so long – to suddenly realise that you are going to wake up in the morning and not be going to work.”
Earlier this year, the BBC said its 6.30pm regional TV news bulletins would be fronted by single presenters as part of a cost- cutting restructure.
Mr Gration, 69, said: “The BBC needs to make significant savings – that clearly played a part – but this seems to be the right time to do it as well and have a little bit of time to do different things.”
He added: “The one thing we want to try and do is to make sure once this is all over – that the standards are maintained.
“I’m pretty confident that will be the case for Look North, that once Covid goes, and it will go sometime in the future – we will be able to look forward to a more normal Look North and a normal programme again.”
He joined the BBC in 1978 and has presented Look North since 1982.
He said: “For the past four decades, it’s been a privilege to meet the people of the county I love.
“Make no mistake, these good folk are the heartbeat of the programme.”
He added: “I’ve interviewed every
Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher, covered every major Look North story even at the expense of my holidays, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
“I’ve always lived the story. Horrendous events such as the devastating news of Jo Cox’s death, the disastrous floods of recent times, the Bradford riots, Hillsborough, have always affected me.
“They were always an assault on my county. “Stand- out moments include raising over £ 800,000 on a tandem, pushing a sofa and being tied to Paul ( Hudson, the weather presenter): three challenges my body will never forget.” The Director of BBC England, Helen Thomas, said Harry was a “broadcasting legend”, adding:
“He is a true professional, a Yorkshire treasure and it has been a privilege to work alongside him.”
Gration said it was a “retirement of sorts,” as he hopes to continue with some of his own media projects in the future.
He added: “One of the things I’ve loved more than anything is to get to really understand and appreciate what the Yorkshire sense of humour is, and the Yorkshire character which will live with me for ever really and the kindness of people. And the bluntness of people at the same time.”
It’s been a privilege to meet the people of the county I love. BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration MBE.