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Former ITN newsreader Carol Barnes dies after stroke

08/03/2008

British broadcast journalism lost one of its most respected figures today as Carol Barnes passed away following a stroke last weekend.

The 63-year-old suffered the stroke while at home in Brighton and never recovered despite family members gathering around her beside at Royal Sussex county hospital.

Media colleagues have paid tribute to the newsreader, who fronted News at Ten and other ITN current affairs programmes during her 20 years in front of the camera.

"It is a very sad day for friends, colleagues and viewers," former ITN chief executive Stewart Purvis said.

Ms Barnes had had a long relationship with Denis MacShane, the government minister.

But the couple split up and a later marriage with ITN cameraman Nigel Thomson, which brought two more children, also failed.

Tragedy struck later on in her life when, after she fronted ITN's coverage of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, her daughter Clare died in a skydiving accident in Australia in 2004.

She was subsequently convicted of drink-driving and struggled to cope with the loss of Clare.

"Her public face was that of the polished professional. Privately she was just a lovely, generous and delightful person," ITV News presenter Alastair Stewart said.