Harry Gration

[Spencer]

I’m stunned and devastated by this news, in much the same way I was almost 17 years ago, when Richard Whiteley died. Harry was Look North, it’s not been the same without him. Not only was he an excellent presenter, he was a lovely bloke. Thoughts with his family at this terribly sad time

I was also put in mind of when Richard Whiteley died - both of them Yorkshire broadcasting legends.

I do think there’s something unique and very special about long-serving regional TV news presenters. They almost feel like members of the family - much more so than any national broadcasters. It feels like a genuinely sad day in Yorkshire.

Although I wonder if, in the current internet and multi-channel era, today’s regional presenters will ever reach the iconic status of the likes of Harry Gration, Mike Neville, Tony Wilson, Bob Warman, Fred Dinenage, etc..

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He did indeed do a couple of years down south in the 90s. That’s where I first saw him, along with his turns reporting for Final Score and commentating at the Olympics. Then I go up north for Uni and there he is on the telly again. What a legend. RIP.

Yes, the famous 'When Harry met Sally' pairing on South Today. 1994 to 97ish.

They were an excellent co presenting team

The ‘When Harry met Claire’ adverts when Harry returned to Look North alongside Claire Frisby in the late 90s didn’t work quite in the same way.