BBC presenter flooded with loving messages after revealed ‘shattering’ family loss
A BBC presenter has been flooded with support after revealing his family loss live on air.
Barra Best is a BBC weatherman and he told viewers that his beloved dog, named Maggie, had passed away.
Barra shared his sad news while delivering a weather report and a sweet photo of the dog came onto the screen, as she was seen playing on the beach.
The report left viewers in tears as he broke the news of his loss, in his first report since.
He wrote on Twitter: “Give your dog an extra hug today from us. Maggie’s gone to sleep.
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“She brought us such love and fun over the years and made it to the grand age of 13 and a half. Shattered.”
Barra ended his post with a heartbreak emoji and shared several photos of himself with the pooch.
Viewers flooded the comments, with one person writing: “We lost our boxer two years ago, just shy of 13. Very hard; I found a few mementos about the place really helped, just to see her wee face. Big hug.”
Another said: “Thinking of you Barra, I could see the sadness in your expression today. I’m sure Maggie had the best life, & I understand how tough it is.”
A third person added: “Such a lovely touch having her picture on the forecast. Lucky girl to have been so loved. Really sorry for your loss Barra.”
Barra says he wanted to be a vet growing up, rather than a weatherman.
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He trained at the BBC Weather Centre in London, where he was taught how to read the weather charts in detail and how to use the weather graphics.
After filling in for Jackie McCann on BBC Northern Ireland in 2010, he soon got the bug for weather presenting.
Barra has said: “I saw an opportunity to build up my skills when I was filling in for Jackie and went for it.
“I was absolutely rigid with nerves the first time I presented the weather.
“I was so afraid of making a mistake, I was as stiff as a cardboard cut-out, but that soon went and I relaxed into it.”
