Beccy Barr’s former BBC colleagues were left in ‘awe’ when the TV presenter ditched her career to follow in her fireman father’s footsteps, as tributes continue to flood in after her death.

The mother-of-one from Lancaster, who previously worked on BBC North West tonight, died today age 46 after a year-and-a-half long battle with incurable abdominal cancer.

Her family confirmed on Monday that she had ‘passed away peacefully at St John’s Hospice in Lancaster’. 

Beccy had spent 20 years working in journalism – including stings as a financial reporter at CNBC and Bloomberg – but in 2019 announced she would be joining Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.   

Steph McGovern was amongst those paying tributes to the former presenter this evening. She wrote on social media: ‘This is heartbreaking. Beccy was the life and soul of the BBC newsroom.

Beccy’s career started in print journalism as a reporter for The Blackpool Citizen before she moved to London to join Money Marketing

Beccy joined BBC North West Tonight as a presenter and reporter back in 2013

Beccy had spent 20 years working in journalism but in 2019 announced she would be joining Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

‘She always cracked me up with her take on life. Funny, smart and fearless. And then when she left to be a firefighter we were all in awe.’

BBC North West Tonight presenter Phil McCann also paid tribute on air, while hosting the evening bulletin.

He said: ‘I’m very sorry to say that we’ve got some very sad news to bring you tonight. Our former colleague Beccy Barr has died. 

‘She was just 46 years old and known and loved by so many of you as well as us. She had a form of abdominal cancer.’

He also called her ‘incredibly fit’ and recalled that staff saw her spend breaks ‘doing 5k runs and at the weekend she would compete in triathlons and Ironman competitions’.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s social media account said their team was ‘deeply saddened’.

‘Beccy was a dedicated and courageous firefighter who served with professionalism and compassion,’ the post added on X. ‘She was an enthusiastic and warm person who became an inspiration to many.’

Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, Cat Smith, wrote: ‘I’m so sorry to hear this, my heart aches for all those who mourn her.

Beccy (pictured) back in the BBC Studio when she worked as a presenter 

Beccy Barr (pictured) has died after a year-and-a-half long battle with cancer 

Paying tribute today, Beccy’s sister Jennifer Pomphrey said: ‘She was a very loved daughter, granddaughter and niece. More than anything she was a wonderful mother to Hannah’

‘She made the world a better place because of everything she did with an enthusiasm that few could match. RIP Beccy. So much love to her family right now. X.’

Beccy’s family made the announcement on ‘X’ this afternoon. Their statement read: ‘I’m sharing the very sad news that Beccy passed away peacefully this morning. 

‘She spent her last few days at St John’s Hospice who provided the most dignified & compassionate care to Beccy & her whole family.  Donations to the hospice can be made in Beccy’s memory.’

Beccy joined the fire service in 2019 because she wanted to ‘learn a new trade from scratch’. Her father Roy spent around 20 years in the fire service.

She told the BBC at the time: ‘I still really love being a journalist but it has been nearly 20 years and I’m ready for a change and a different challenge’.

Beccy told her followers on ‘X’ that she had been diagnosed with incurable cancer at the beginning of 2023.

She said at the time; ‘Two lessons I’ve learned from this distinctly sub-optimal experience: 1) Life is wild. 2) People have an utterly astounding and boundless capacity for love, care and friendship.’

Paying tribute today, Beccy’s sister Jennifer Pomphrey said: ‘This morning Beccy passed away peacefully at St John’s Hospice in Lancaster. They offered the most dignified and compassionate care for the last few days of her life.

She swapped her TV career to become a firefighter in 2019 to follow in her father’s footsteps 

Beccy joined the fire service in 2019 after 20 years in journalism because she wanted to ‘learn a new trade from scratch’

‘Beccy led an incredible life that I will post about on her account in the near future along with details of her funeral. 

‘For now, I just want to say that I was incredibly blessed to have such an amazing sister. She was a very loved daughter, granddaughter and niece. More than anything she was a wonderful mother to Hannah.

‘If you wish to show your love please send donations to St John’s Hospice in Beccy’s memory. Please feel free to leave messages, we will read them and take comfort in them but may not reply whilst we take time to be together as a family.’

Beccy’s career started in print journalism as a reporter for The Blackpool Citizen before she moved to London to join Money Marketing. 

She also had stints at BBC Radio 5 Live, reporting for BBC Inside Out and Sunday Politics North West.

Tributes have flooded in for the firefighter, as social media users paid tribute to an ‘inspirational’ woman.

Beccy pictured in her role as a firefighter at Lancashire Fire and Rescue. She published this photograph when she received Distinctions in all her training assessments 

BBC Manchester said in a statement: ‘We have some sad news to bring you – our former colleague Beccy Barr has died.

‘Beccy presented BBC North West Tonight from 2013, before leaving in 2019 to become a firefighter.

‘She was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2023. Our thoughts are with Beccy’s family and friends.’

Journalist Annabel Tiffin, a presenter at BBC North West said: ‘This is such unbelievably sad news. Beccy was a feisty, fearless woman gone far too soon. Condolences to her family.’

MP Cat Smith for Lancaster and Wyre said: ‘I’m so sorry to hear this, my heart aches for all those who mourn her. 

‘She made the world a better place because of everything she did with an enthusiasm that few could match. RIP Beccy. So much love to her family right now.’

Lee Petts wrote: ‘This breaks my heart. I didn’t know her that well, I only met her a couple of times, but she was always lovely and looked after me when interviewing me for the BBC Politics Show. She’s dealt with her terminal cancer diagnosis like an absolute champ, positive to the end. Cancer is horrid, isn’t it? RIP Beccy.’

Funeral details are set to be announced in due course.