Lorraine Kelly pays tribute to ‘class act’ Michael Barratt as Nationwide presenter dies aged 94-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Lorraine Kelly praised the Nationwide presenter Michael Barratt as a ‘class act’ (Picture: Getty / Twitter / Rex)

Lorraine Kelly has paid tribute to Nationwide presenter Michael Barratt, who died this morning aged 94, his family confirmed.

This ITV presenter labelled Barratt a ‘class act,’ sharing her condolences on Twitter.

‘Sad to hear of the death of your dad. Class act,’ she wrote.

The Leeds-born broadcaster was best known as the main presenter on Nationwide between 1969 and 1977.

Announcing the sad news, Barratt’s family shared: ‘We’re very sad to report that our lovely Dad/Husband/Mike/Michael Barratt died this morning. He was 94.

Barratt presented BBC’s Nationwide between 1969 and 1977 (Picture: Twitter)

‘He spent his final days being cared for at the wonderful Thames Hospice in Berkshire, surrounded by his family.

‘A life lived to the full.’

They also included a JustGiving page which has been set up in his memory to raise money for Thames Hospice.

As well as tributes from Lorraine and fans sharing their condolences, broadcaster Simon McCoy wrote: ‘Such sad news. The nicest of men who was interested in things going on in the world right up until the end.’

Nationwide was a weekday BBC current affairs programme which ran from 1969 until 1983.

As well as Barratt, who hosted the show from the beginning, other presenters have include Esther Rantzen, Sue Cook, Martin Young and Bob Langley.

As well as Nationwide, Barratt featured as a BBC presenter on Midlands Today, Panorama and 24 Hours.

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He was also chairman of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time and presented Songs of Praise, as well as being the author of several books.

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