Why my friend Harry Gration was ultimate Look North presenter – Yorkshire Post Letters

A PIECE of Yorkshire television history – and the end of an era – occurs tonight when Harry Gration presents his last programme on BBC Look North (The Yorkshire Post, October 14).

He’s been a staple diet for teatime viewing for several generations who have tuned in for their daily update on all things Yorkshire.

I would like to pay Harry a special tribute as one of the team who worked with him several decades in my role as a location film and digital cameraman, and also a close friend.

I remember him arriving on his very first day at Look North in 1981 as a fresh-faced reporter from Radio Leeds and becoming a natural from that day forward. He was willing to listen and learned very quickly the technique and art of TV.

It wasn’t long before he was presenting the programme and becoming a star favourite with the viewers of all ages.

He’s been part of several 
highly successful duo presenting teams – presently with Amy Garcia and previously with Judith Stamper and Christa Ackroyd who wiped the floor of any BBC region.

Harry is a class act and an incredible professional who can turn his skills with all genres including sport – of which he has an encyclopaedic knowledge which was essential when he presented Grandstand – hard news, features and documentaries.

My favourite was the one we made with national treasure, umpire Dickie Bird, when he retired, which won an RTS Sport Award.

Harry is so very natural on camera with people and a very genuine sincere person who can be funny but, on serious events, have the authority and experience to project the right tone.

He has well-earned his reputation as “Mr Yorkshire”.

The last programme will be a very sad occasion for all his colleagues which cannot be celebrated because of coronavirus to reflect the warmth and admiration they feel for him.

His departure, which Harry describes as “traumatic”, is a deeply worrying time for our BBC Yorkshire region (and national news) output with 1,000 job losses. The fight must continue to make the BBC invest heavily in a major region like ours.

From: Steve Wilson, Bradford.

THE excellent piece by David Behrens on Harry Gration (The Yorkshire Post, October 17) will resonate with many.

I never thought I would ever have Look North on series link; such was Harry’s draw as an entertaining, professional and unflappable presenter.

Once the BBC announced their cuts, this outcome was inevitable.

How they can claim this is in the interests of efficiency when they follow up Look North each night with the dual presented drivel The One Show is beyond sane argument.

And how many Harry Gration’s do you get for one Zoe Ball? Every dog has his day and I am sure Harry will have known this but there is still life in this old dog and I hope we see him soon, perhaps on Yorkshire’s new champion, Channel Five? What a coup that would be.

Good luck Harry.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson

Editor