Entertainment
BBC legend Craig Rich who solved strange 1960s mystery dies aged 86-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro
Craig Rich has died at the age of 86 (Picture: BBC)
BBC weather forecaster Craig Rich has died at the age of 86 after living an ‘amazing life’, his family have said.
He was the BBC’s first regional weather forecaster starting in 1978 and he stayed in that role for 25 years.
Before his BBC days, Rich solved part of the strange mystery of what happened to Donald Crowhurst, who went missing at sea.
The BBC announced the news, reporting that Rich’s family said he ‘died peacefully’ and that it was now a time to celebrate his life.
Before joining the BBC’s Spotlight team in Plymouth in the 1970s, Rich was a Merchant Navy sailor and lecturer.
In 1968, he was also navigation advisor to the Sunday Times for the Round the World Yacht Race.
Rich was in this role when British businessman and amateur sailor Crowhurst went missing in the final weeks of the 1968 round-the-world solo race, when he was tipped for a win.
He was the BBC’s first regional weather presenter in the 1970s (Picture: BBC)
His boat – the Teignmouth Electron – was found a year later but his body was never recovered.
Tasked with looking into the case as an expert navigator himself, Rich uncovered evidence that the keen sportsman had lied about his progress in the race, and fabricated his log books ahead of setting sail.
It remains unclear whether Crowhurst took his own life, fell overboard, or even knew all along that he would be unable to complete the race, but Rich’s insight was a huge breakthrough in the high-profile mystery.
He would become an expert in the mystery, and contributed to Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall’s book, The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst.
Crowhurst’s death was later turned into the 2018 film The Mercy, starring Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz.
On the news of Rich’s death, BBC Spotlight presenter Justin Leigh, said: ‘Whenever I think of Craig, I think of laughter. Smiling and laughter.
Rich solved the mystery of what happened to Donald Crowhurst, and was considered an expert on the topic (Picture: Eric Tall/Keystone/Getty Images)
‘He had a twinkle in his eye and an almost boy-ish love of telling jokes.
‘So, no matter how stressful and panic-stricken the newsroom could be sometimes, the moment Craig arrived was a moment of joy every day.
‘He brightened the day no end.’
Others have paid tribute to Rich on social media, as presenter Fern Britton said: ‘I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Craig Rich. A master mariner and meteorologist . Funny, kind and clever. I worked with him and #ChrisDenham on @BBCSpotlight from c.1981-1984 . He is a part of all our history and memories.’
Rich is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pat, and their three children Jo, Sarah and Thomas.
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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Craig Rich has died at the age of 86 (Picture: BBC)
BBC weather forecaster Craig Rich has died at the age of 86 after living an ‘amazing life’, his family have said.
He was the BBC’s first regional weather forecaster starting in 1978 and he stayed in that role for 25 years.
Before his BBC days, Rich solved part of the strange mystery of what happened to Donald Crowhurst, who went missing at sea.
The BBC announced the news, reporting that Rich’s family said he ‘died peacefully’ and that it was now a time to celebrate his life.
Before joining the BBC’s Spotlight team in Plymouth in the 1970s, Rich was a Merchant Navy sailor and lecturer.
In 1968, he was also navigation advisor to the Sunday Times for the Round the World Yacht Race.
Rich was in this role when British businessman and amateur sailor Crowhurst went missing in the final weeks of the 1968 round-the-world solo race, when he was tipped for a win.
He was the BBC’s first regional weather presenter in the 1970s (Picture: BBC)
His boat – the Teignmouth Electron – was found a year later but his body was never recovered.
Tasked with looking into the case as an expert navigator himself, Rich uncovered evidence that the keen sportsman had lied about his progress in the race, and fabricated his log books ahead of setting sail.
It remains unclear whether Crowhurst took his own life, fell overboard, or even knew all along that he would be unable to complete the race, but Rich’s insight was a huge breakthrough in the high-profile mystery.
He would become an expert in the mystery, and contributed to Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall’s book, The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst.
Crowhurst’s death was later turned into the 2018 film The Mercy, starring Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz.
On the news of Rich’s death, BBC Spotlight presenter Justin Leigh, said: ‘Whenever I think of Craig, I think of laughter. Smiling and laughter.
Rich solved the mystery of what happened to Donald Crowhurst, and was considered an expert on the topic (Picture: Eric Tall/Keystone/Getty Images)
‘He had a twinkle in his eye and an almost boy-ish love of telling jokes.
‘So, no matter how stressful and panic-stricken the newsroom could be sometimes, the moment Craig arrived was a moment of joy every day.
‘He brightened the day no end.’
Others have paid tribute to Rich on social media, as presenter Fern Britton said: ‘I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Craig Rich. A master mariner and meteorologist . Funny, kind and clever. I worked with him and #ChrisDenham on @BBCSpotlight from c.1981-1984 . He is a part of all our history and memories.’
Rich is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pat, and their three children Jo, Sarah and Thomas.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
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