Former ITN newsreader Barnes dies, 63

Former ITN newsreader Carol Barnes has died at the age of 63.

The broadcaster passed away at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton yesterday. She had been admitted last weekend after suffering a stroke.

Tributes for Barnes have since poured in from across the world of television.

ITV news presenter Alastair Stewart said: "Barnsey was a rare creature - as capable on location as she was in her studio. Her public face was that of polished professional. Privately she was just a lovely, generous person. Despite all that life threw at her she remained great fun to be with. We shall miss her."

Sky News host Dermot Murnaghan revealed how Barnes helped him to settle in when he started at ITN in the 1980s.

"She couldn't have been kinder, more helpful and caring to someone like me," he explained. "I was in awe of the mighty Carol Barnes and she was just so down to earth, so helpful."

Sir Trevor McDonald, another former colleague, said: "What distinguished her in all our minds was the fact that she was such a natural TV presenter, a natural reporter. She did everything with great ease, with seemingly very little effort. There was nothing forced. She was genuine, honest, and had great integrity."

Barnes started her broadcasting career in 1973 when she worked for radio station LBC. Two years later, she joined ITN as a reporter and went on to become one of its main newsreaders.

She had most recently been seen presenting a documentary about her former co-host Ed Mitchell, who had become a homeless alcoholic.

Mitchell said: "She was extremely sympathetic to my problems at the time of the documentary. She was willing me to succeed. It's just so awful to learn that she isn't now there."