Tributes paid to newsreader Carol Barnes, who has died at 63

3:34pm Saturday 8th March 2008

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Former newsreader Carol Barnes died today.

The 63-year-old suffered a massive stroke last Sunday and since then had been fighting for her life at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Her death was announced this afternoon.

As the presenter of all ITN's main news programmes in the 1980s she became a household name.

Her son, James, made an emotional tribute to his mother, describing her as "a beautiful, kind and delicate person".

"She was a person loved by many and who I am desperately proud to call my mother.

"She did everything in her power to love, care and provide for me, my sister and all those close to her.

"I am and we are all eternally indebted to her for what she has given us.

"I will always love her and she will for ever be in my heart."

Her former partner and father of her daughter Clare, the MP and former minister Denis MacShane was with her when she died.

He said: "Carol spread affection, warmth, political acuteness and humanity wherever she lived and worked."

Clare died when she was 24 in a sky-diving accident in Australia in 2004.

Mr MacShane continued: "Losing our daughter Clare was a terrible blow but she recovered her bounce and joy of life and last time we talked she was full of plans for the future and love for James.

"Her so-sudden death robs a massive network of friends of one of the best."

Ms Barnes, who lived in Brighton Marina, began her working life as a teacher, before joining ITN as a reporter in 1976 and going on to anchor all the broadcaster's main news programmes.

After initially leaving ITN, she rejoined the news team for the war in Iraq as one of the main presenters on the now-defunct ITV News Channel.

She had a long term relationship with Labour MP and Government minister Denis McShane and later married ITN cameraman Nigel Thomson.

Ms Barnes also has a son, James, with Mr Thomson.

Tributes paid to a great lady

Former colleagues and friends expressed their sadness at the news of Carol Barnes's death.

Ed Mitchell, another ex-ITN reporter, knew Ms Barnes for more than 20 years.

She recently presented a moving documentary about his struggle with alcoholism.

He told The Argus: "It is very upsetting.

"I didn't expect this so soon."

ITV News presenter Alastair Stewart, a close friend for many years, said: "Barnsey was a rare creature, as capable on location as she was in the studio.

Her public face was that of the polished professional. Privately she was just a lovely, generous and delightful person.

"Despite all that life threw at her, she remained great fun to be with.

We shall miss her very much indeed."

Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan said Barnes took him under her wing when he started at ITN in the late 1980s and he would remember her with great affection and respect.

He said: "She couldn't have been kinder, more helpful and caring to someone like me."

Mr Murnaghan said Ms Barnes used to give him advice on how to cope with the hours and environment.

He said: "I was in awe of the mighty Carol Barnes and she was just so down to earth, so helpful but, above all, so professional."

Carol Barnes started off her career as a teacher.

She moved on to work in public relations and magazines before moving into broadcasting, where she started in radio.

She joined ITN in 1976 and spent several years reporting on major stories both at home and abroad before moving on to newscasting.

There she anchored all the ITN programmes, including a long spell on News at Ten.

Ms Barnes also worked for other television companies such as Meridian, where she regularly fronted their weekly political programme.

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