FORMER BBC presenter Beccy Barr who gave up her TV career to become a firefighter has died following a battle with cancer.
Ms Barr, from Lancaster, said in 2019 that she was quitting journalism after 20 years to join Lancashire Fire and Rescue – the same service her father Roy was in.
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Beccy Barr has passed away following a battle with cancer
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She had given up her TV career to become a firefighter
Ms Barr, from Lancaster, revealed in 2019 that she was quitting journalism after 20 years to join Lancashire Fire and RescueCredit: X
In February 2022, she posted on social media the good news that she got distinctions in all her end-point assessments – including practical, theory and interview elements.
But Ms Barr went on to tragically reveal in December last year that she had been diagnosed with “incurable cancer”.
She wrote: “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.”
Earlier today, her family revealed the news of her passing on social media site X.
Her account posted at 2.05pm: “I’m sharing the very sad news that Beccy passed away peacefully this morning.
“She spent her last few days at @SJHospice who provided the most dignified & compassionate care to Beccy & her whole family.
“Donations to the hospice can be made in Beccy’s memory.”
Ms Barr studied Newspaper Journalism at City University between 2001 and 2002, and studied for a Master’s in Crisis Management at Bournemouth University between 2021 and 2023.
She worked at the Blackpool Citizen in her early 20s and went on to spend seven years at the BBC’s North West Tonight.
Ms Barr also spent time at Bloomberg News and CNBC.
Following her diagnosis, she had posted on LinkedIn: “Earlier this year I was diagnosed with incurable and (to some extent) treatable cancer.
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“Practically, this means I feel well and I’m on an immunotherapy regime that may keep well for a period of time.
“I’m sharing this very personal information because this experience has shown me that people living with cancer can adapt to this new reality at work in fruitful and fulfilling ways.
“Both to the benefit of the person (me!) and the employer.
“Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, under the very compassionate leadership of Justin Johnston, and my personal friends at work have been phenomenally supportive of me – both in being off work and crucially in using my skills in a new direction as I have returned.
“I’m no doctor, but I am a lapsed economist, and it seems pretty clear that as treatments for cancer develop, more people are living longer with this group of diseases.
“There are important psychological and economic benefits to supporting people to live and work with cancer like a chronic disease where that is possible and desired.
“I’d be interested to hear the views and experiences of others.”
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Becky Barr gave up journalism to become a firefighterCredit: Instagram
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Ms Barr had worked at the Blackpool Citizen in her early 20s and went on to spend seven years at the BBC’s North West TonightCredit: BBC
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Ms Barr got distinctions in all her end-point assessments – including practical, theory and interview elementsCredit: Instagram
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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)
