Beccy Barr, a former BBC North West Tonight presenter who transitioned to a career as a firefighter, has passed away following a battle with incurable cancer.
Barr joined the BBC in 2013 and left her media career to become a firefighter with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in 2019.
In a statement posted on X, Barr’s family confirmed her death, noting that she passed away peacefully at St John’s Hospice in Lancaster. They expressed gratitude for the hospice’s dignified and compassionate care and invited those who wished to honour Barr’s memory to make donations to the hospice.
Barr’s sister shared a touching message on Instagram, stating, “This morning, Beccy passed away peacefully at St John’s Hospice. They offered the most dignified and compassionate care for the last few days of her life.”
She described Barr as a wonderful sister, daughter, and mother and mentioned that details of Barr’s life and funeral would be shared in the future.
She also encouraged donations to St John’s Hospice and expressed appreciation for messages of support.
Barr’s followers and colleagues paid tribute on social media after her death. @laura_r_wolfe called Barr “one of the most amazing people” she had met, praising her joy and inspiration.
@angeeverington remembered Barr’s kindness and humour from a brief meeting at a firefighter challenge. @beccaloca75 reflected on Barr’s career and her role in the community, noting her impact and talent.
Barr had publicly shared her cancer diagnosis on Christmas Eve last year, stating, “Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with incurable cancer.” She reflected on the profound lessons learned from her experience, emphasizing the wild nature of life and the immense capacity for love and support from others.
