Beccy Barr worked for BBC North West Tonight from 2013 before leaving in 2019 to join Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Her sister posted that she had 'passed away peacefully this morning.

' Her former North West Tonight colleague Annabel Tiffin said she was 'a feisty, fearless woman.

' She faced her illness with courage and also had the bravery to leave a successful TV career to retrain as a firefighter.

Beccy, who was a member of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's Red Watch in Blackburn, followed in her father's footsteps when she joined the service.

The fire service expressed deep sadness at the news, stating that Beccy was a dedicated and courageous firefighter who served with professionalism and compassion.

They added that she was an 'amazing professional, wise and warm,' and passionate about firefighting techniques and developing the service.

Their hearts go out to her family, friends, and colleagues at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Lancaster and Wyre MP Cat Smith was among hundreds paying tribute on social media, saying that Beccy 'made the world a better place because of everything she did with an enthusiasm that few could match.

' Former BBC Breakfast business presenter Steph McGovern posted on X, calling the news heartbreaking and describing Beccy as the life and soul of the BBC newsroom.

She added that Beccy always made her laugh with her take on life, and that she was funny, smart, and fearless.

When Beccy left to become a firefighter, everyone was in awe.

Chris Brindley, editor of BBC North West, said that Beccy was a much-loved part of the team.

He added that those who worked with her would remember her as an inspiration, and those who watched her would remember her as a talented journalist and presenter.

Beccy started her journalism career at the Blackpool Citizen in her early 20s and then worked for Bloomberg News and CNBC in New York before moving back to Lancashire and joining the BBC.

She was a Girlguiding leader for many years, most recently running a Rainbow unit at St Paul's Church in Scotforth.

Active in the triathlon community, she participated in Ironman UK and several long-distance athletic events.