The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Tributes paid as TV presenter dies aged 51
Media: Mother-of-two Dianne Oxberry was ‘amazing woman’
Tributes have been paid to BBC weather presenter Dianne Oxberry following the death of the 51-year-old, just weeks after she was last on-air.
The mother-of-two, who had been suffering from cancer, died at Manchester’s Christie Hospital on Thursday.
The BBC said Oxberry, who lived in Greater Manchester, died after a “short illness” and said the “very sad news has come as a huge shock to everyone at the BBC in the North West”.
Broadcasters Dan Walker, Simon Mayo and Jane Garvey were among those who paid tribute to the “amazing” Oxberry.
The mother of two young children, she worked alongside Simon Mayo and Steve Wright on Radio 1 before moving to North West Tonight in 1994.
A clip of BBC North West’s “favourite moments” of Oxberry shows her getting a hug from comic Peter Kay after he interrupts her broadcast and tells her: “You’ve made it sunshine, for everybody.”
She remained with North West Tonight until her death and was last on-air in mid-December.
Oxberry’s husband, Ian Hindle, said: “She will leave a massive void in our lives but, because of the remarkable person she was, she will forever live on in our hearts. The children and I will miss her more than anyone can imagine.”
BBC Breakfast host Walker wrote on Twitter: “This is incredibly sad.
“Dianne was a formidable voice for women at the BBC”
What an amazing woman Dianne was and such a professional broadcaster. Devastating news for her family. Heartbreaking.”
Woman’s Hour host Garvey wrote: “Dianne was a formidable voice for women at the BBC, a fantastically supportive colleague.”
Mayo wrote: “Devastated to hear this news. I loved working with her. My condolences to her family.”