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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| BBC editor Alison Ford dies | BBC editor Alison Ford dies |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| BBC Breakfast editor Alison Ford, who oversaw the transfer of the programme to the corporation's new headquarters in Salford, has died after what colleagues called "a long fight with cancer." | BBC Breakfast editor Alison Ford, who oversaw the transfer of the programme to the corporation's new headquarters in Salford, has died after what colleagues called "a long fight with cancer." |
| Mary Hockaday, the head of BBC newsroom, paid tribute to Ford in an email to staff on Wednesday morning, calling her a "wonderful and passionate editor of Breakfast". | Mary Hockaday, the head of BBC newsroom, paid tribute to Ford in an email to staff on Wednesday morning, calling her a "wonderful and passionate editor of Breakfast". |
| "She inspired her team and all her colleagues with her editorial spirit and flair, and complete commitment to Breakfast's audience," she said. "She successfully led Breakfast to Salford and was an important senior figure in the newsroom and before that English regions. She also inspired us with the valiant way she tackled her illness. We will miss her hugely." | "She inspired her team and all her colleagues with her editorial spirit and flair, and complete commitment to Breakfast's audience," she said. "She successfully led Breakfast to Salford and was an important senior figure in the newsroom and before that English regions. She also inspired us with the valiant way she tackled her illness. We will miss her hugely." |
| Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, said "his thoughts are with" Ford's partner Martin and their two children, and asked staff to "please join me there if you can" at the minute's silence being held on the first floor of New Broadcasting House at 1.30pm in memory of the late Breakfast editor. | Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, said "his thoughts are with" Ford's partner Martin and their two children, and asked staff to "please join me there if you can" at the minute's silence being held on the first floor of New Broadcasting House at 1.30pm in memory of the late Breakfast editor. |
| "I was so sorry to hear about Alison," he said in an email. "As you may know, she died peacefully yesterday, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Alison was a wonderful colleague and friend to teams across the BBC – we'll feel her loss deeply. She was also a brilliant editor, who led Breakfast with real flair, creativity and ambition." | "I was so sorry to hear about Alison," he said in an email. "As you may know, she died peacefully yesterday, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Alison was a wonderful colleague and friend to teams across the BBC – we'll feel her loss deeply. She was also a brilliant editor, who led Breakfast with real flair, creativity and ambition." |
| Before joining the BBC's Breakfast programme, Ford was the BBC's home news editor in newsgathering. | Before joining the BBC's Breakfast programme, Ford was the BBC's home news editor in newsgathering. |
| Fran Unsworth, BBC acting director of news, said Ford's "sudden death has come as a deep shock to all of us". | Fran Unsworth, BBC acting director of news, said Ford's "sudden death has come as a deep shock to all of us". |
| "Alison was tackling her illness with the energy and indomitable spirit she showed in everything she did," said Unsworth, in an email to staff. "Her talent, editorial experience and sense of humour defined the way she worked at the BBC." | "Alison was tackling her illness with the energy and indomitable spirit she showed in everything she did," said Unsworth, in an email to staff. "Her talent, editorial experience and sense of humour defined the way she worked at the BBC." |
| Ford joined the BBC in 1991 as a trainee reporter. She held a number of senior roles in BBC News, including editor of Midlands Today and went on to become head of BBC East Midlands, responsible for all radio, TV and online output for the region. She later became UK news editor. | Ford joined the BBC in 1991 as a trainee reporter. She held a number of senior roles in BBC News, including editor of Midlands Today and went on to become head of BBC East Midlands, responsible for all radio, TV and online output for the region. She later became UK news editor. |
| "Everyone who worked with her will remember her energy, commitment, down-to-earth approach and sense of humour," said Jonathan Baker, acting head of newsgathering. "All of those qualities were evident in the way she confronted the disease that has finally defeated her. She was a big personality who enlivened any gathering, and who made a huge contribution to newsgathering and to news as a whole." | "Everyone who worked with her will remember her energy, commitment, down-to-earth approach and sense of humour," said Jonathan Baker, acting head of newsgathering. "All of those qualities were evident in the way she confronted the disease that has finally defeated her. She was a big personality who enlivened any gathering, and who made a huge contribution to newsgathering and to news as a whole." |
| Colleagues said BBC Breakfast staff were shocked on hearing the news. | Colleagues said BBC Breakfast staff were shocked on hearing the news. |
| One said: "She was ill throughout the move to Salford, everyone's devastated – she was someone who cared about people and she was coming into work until a couple of months ago." | One said: "She was ill throughout the move to Salford, everyone's devastated – she was someone who cared about people and she was coming into work until a couple of months ago." |
| BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin said the death of Ford was "very sad news" and said: "We are all devastated. Alison was the most fabulous and inspirational editor. She inspired fierce loyalty in everyone who worked with her, and all of us will miss her terribly. She was the best boss I have ever had, and I will miss her as a funny, generous and supportive friend." | |
| BBC Breakfast contributor and money-saving expert Paul Lewis tweeted: "I will miss her." | BBC Breakfast contributor and money-saving expert Paul Lewis tweeted: "I will miss her." |
| Breakfast will include a tribute moment at the end of the programme on Thursday, with a picture of Ford and a few words from the presenters. | Breakfast will include a tribute moment at the end of the programme on Thursday, with a picture of Ford and a few words from the presenters. |