Almost four years ago to the day, I wrote THIS post about the tragic death of Clare Barnes in a skydiving accident in Australia. Clare used to work for me at Politico's and was the daughter of Labour MP Denis MacShane and ITN Newscaster Carol Barnes. Today we learned that Carol had died after experiencing a massive stroke a week ago. Carol was a lovely woman and totally devoted to her beautiful daughter. For some reason my main memory of Carol is seeing her do the washing up after a Politico's booklaunch -something at the time I thought was utterly bizarre. No mother ever gets over the death of a child, but the bond between the two of them was something special. Carol knew that Clare was a free spirit. Now they have been reunited.
Even before I knew her, Carol Barnes was one of my favourite newsreaders. She had an almost serene calmness about her, but always had a slightly wicked twinkle in her eye. She blazed a trail for women journalists and deserves all the fulsome tributes which have been paid to her today. See THIS article on Telegraph Online for tributes to Carol.
a nice tribute Iain. Most of us only saw Carol reading the news. Always good to hear a personal remembrance fron someone who saw the real person.
ReplyDeleteA very sad loss. She read the news so well and was pleasant to listen to. Not like that anymore.
ReplyDeleteWithout mentioning any names, she certainly showed up some of the overpaid prima donnas working in the industry today, who didn't serve an apprenticeship in the way Carol Barnes did. She will certainly be missed.
ReplyDeleteExtremely sad news, really brought a tear to my eye.
ReplyDeleteI don't wish to detract from your evidently sincere tribute, Iain, and I fear that I shall come across as a tiresome pedant, but: 'fulsome' means 'nauseatingly flattering.' It does not mean 'full' or 'overflowing' or whatever else you may be intending.
ReplyDeleteYes, a shame. She was a real pleasure to watch and a decent professional. And the loss of her daughter was such a tragedy, too. She bore her burden with courage, dignity and integrity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing to life someone we only knew through the box. I thought that she was a great newsreader, and very attractive too. The loss of her daughter must have been a terrible thing to endure.
ReplyDeleteA sad day.
Why is it that the best people get taken at an early age? The news service will not be the same without CB.
ReplyDeleteNice Tribute Ian - always felt she was telling the truth - no airs and graces - just a lovely person - what a loss
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