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| BBC reporter Barron dies aged 69 | BBC reporter Barron dies aged 69 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| BBC reporter Brian Barron has died from cancer at the age of 69. | BBC reporter Brian Barron has died from cancer at the age of 69. |
| He covered wars across five decades, including Aden, Vietnam and both Iraq conflicts, and served as correspondent in some of the world's major cities. | He covered wars across five decades, including Aden, Vietnam and both Iraq conflicts, and served as correspondent in some of the world's major cities. |
| World news editor Jon Williams said: "He was simply the most distinguished BBC correspondent of our age". | World news editor Jon Williams said: "He was simply the most distinguished BBC correspondent of our age". |
| Barron, who was honoured as Royal Television Society's reporter of the year in 1980, died at his home in Cornwall surrounded by his family. | Barron, who was honoured as Royal Television Society's reporter of the year in 1980, died at his home in Cornwall surrounded by his family. |
| Barron started his journalism career at the Western Daily Press newspaper in Bristol, before joining the BBC in 1965 at the department that later became the World Service. | Barron started his journalism career at the Western Daily Press newspaper in Bristol, before joining the BBC in 1965 at the department that later became the World Service. |
| Brian was comfortable and composed in the most dangerous places Jon WilliamsBBC world news editor Read Jon Williams' thoughts in full | Brian was comfortable and composed in the most dangerous places Jon WilliamsBBC world news editor Read Jon Williams' thoughts in full |
| He went on to become Aden correspondent, where he reported on the end of 130 years of British rule. | He went on to become Aden correspondent, where he reported on the end of 130 years of British rule. |
| As South East Asia correspondent he covered the Vietnam war and - ignoring the BBC's order to leave - witnessed the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese forces. | |
| He reported on the demise of Idi Amin and in 1980, tracked down the dictator to a secret hideout in Saudi Arabia. | He reported on the demise of Idi Amin and in 1980, tracked down the dictator to a secret hideout in Saudi Arabia. |
| Barron also covered the Falklands War from Chile, as well as working as the BBC's Ireland correspondent at the height of the Troubles. | Barron also covered the Falklands War from Chile, as well as working as the BBC's Ireland correspondent at the height of the Troubles. |
| He had spells as a foreign correspondent in cities including Washington, New York, Cairo, Hong Kong, and Rome. | He had spells as a foreign correspondent in cities including Washington, New York, Cairo, Hong Kong, and Rome. |
| 'An inspiration' | 'An inspiration' |
| After his official retirement, Barron and Eric Thirer, his friend and long-time cameraman, continued to work together in New York. | After his official retirement, Barron and Eric Thirer, his friend and long-time cameraman, continued to work together in New York. |
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| Brian Hanrahan looks back at Brian Barron's distinguished TV career | Brian Hanrahan looks back at Brian Barron's distinguished TV career |
| And at the start of the Iraq conflict in 2003, Barron reported from the deck of the USS Mobile as the first missile was fired against Saddam Hussein. | And at the start of the Iraq conflict in 2003, Barron reported from the deck of the USS Mobile as the first missile was fired against Saddam Hussein. |
| In 2006, Barron was made an MBE for services to broadcasting. | In 2006, Barron was made an MBE for services to broadcasting. |
| Helen Boaden, director of BBC News, said: "He was an inspiration to many generations of journalists for his professionalism, extraordinary experience and lightness of touch. We shall miss him very much." | Helen Boaden, director of BBC News, said: "He was an inspiration to many generations of journalists for his professionalism, extraordinary experience and lightness of touch. We shall miss him very much." |
| Mr Williams described Barron as the "quintessential foreign correspondent - suave, impossibly handsome and brave". | Mr Williams described Barron as the "quintessential foreign correspondent - suave, impossibly handsome and brave". |
| He added: "Long before satellite technology made it routine, he took BBC audiences to faraway places, and explained the biggest stories of our times - first on radio, then television. | He added: "Long before satellite technology made it routine, he took BBC audiences to faraway places, and explained the biggest stories of our times - first on radio, then television. |
| Brian Barron joined the BBC in 1965 after a spell on newspapers | Brian Barron joined the BBC in 1965 after a spell on newspapers |
| "He was comfortable and composed in the most dangerous places." | "He was comfortable and composed in the most dangerous places." |
| Two years ago, in what would be his final report for the BBC, Barron returned to Aden, 40 years after the end of empire. | Two years ago, in what would be his final report for the BBC, Barron returned to Aden, 40 years after the end of empire. |
| Mr Williams said: "It was vintage Brian - funny, poignant, but with a message. He was an inspiration to more than one generation of reporters, producers and editors." | Mr Williams said: "It was vintage Brian - funny, poignant, but with a message. He was an inspiration to more than one generation of reporters, producers and editors." |
| Barron leaves his wife Angela and daughter Fleur. | Barron leaves his wife Angela and daughter Fleur. |