Harry Gration recalls biggest stories of his career on screen

The face of Look North presented around 12,000 editions of the regional BBC news programme until his retirement last month.

The Bradford-born broadcaster has now reflected on his long and illustrious career which began in sport for BBC Radio Leeds in 1978.

Mr Gration, 70, remains a popular figure with viewers in Yorkshire after becoming an institution on our screens.

Paul Hudson and Harry Gration dropped into Bradford on part of their three legged walk for charity in 2016

The former school teacher said: "When you are invited into their homes, you realise you are part of their lives and playing a special role.

"Covid did end my career, to be honest. I was shielding at home. I could not do anything on the biggest story we have had. That shaped my decision to leave really.

"There was a shift in the way the programme was going, with single presenters. It seemed the logical thing to do.

"I went back on for a few weeks before I decided to leave.

"The young ones (reporters) asked me for advice. I always try to give back, as I have had a good career. The future of Look North is very solid.

Harry at the Bingley Christmas lights switch-on in 2017

"I am not an aggressive interviewer. I'm not a Piers Morgan type. I always like to listen to the answer before giving the next question.

"I have made a point of not watching Look North since I left, I felt I had to really. I don't want to feel that I should be back there. It's time for the younger ones to do it now."

Mr Gration's first month of retirement may have been confined to his home by the national lockdown, but he has picked out the stories which involved our district as ones he remembers most vividly for a host of different reasons.

He looks back at the murder of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox in 2016, the success of the first Tour de Yorkshire in 2014, the Bradford City fire disaster in 1985 and the Bradford city riots in 2001.

Mr Gration has recalled covering the murder of Jo Cox MP in 2016

Each event affected Mr Gration in a different way, each one sticking out in his memory.

He said: "The Bradford City fire still haunts me and everybody in the city.

"The Jo Cox murder, out of something so evil, came something good; the More in Common charity.

"We did a joint programme with Calendar. That's unheard of. We were the first there. I broadcasted from 3pm to 9pm on that day.

"It was one of those situations that it was a horrible story, but you had to be a part of it to show the things that were going on. You have to try to remain professional about it.

"I do get myself involved in the story, big time. That was certainly the case with Jo Cox. I got to know her family pretty well.

Mr Gration says the Bradford City Fire Disaster of 1985 still haunts him and the city

"I have never ever regarded it as a journalist to think 'that's that story done, now on to another one'.

"With the Bradford city riots we kept going back to see how the city responded. They responded as a community."

The presenter has recalled covering the 2001 Bradford riots. Here is an afffected BMW garage in Manningham

He may not live in the district anymore, but Mr Gration still has a passion for his home city.

He added: "I'm a Bradford lad. I was born and raised there. I left when I was about 12 or 13. The city still has a massive affection for me.

"I was guest speaker at a dinner in Bradford years ago. A comedian who was on with me was slagging the city off. I had a go at him for doing that. He changed his act after that. You don't do that to the place that raised you.

"I know the people of Bradford very well. They have been nothing but supportive. I have always had a good rapport with them.

After more than 42 years at the BBC, tonight Harry Gration says his goodbyes. But before he goes, @GrationHarry just wanted to say thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jAeOhTVOyi

— BBC Yorkshire (@BBCLookNorth) October 21, 2020

"I have always got on well with people at the football clubs. We have always covered Bradford City as well as we can.

You just always know the people of Bradford care

Sport has always played a key part in his life and career, a passion which began during his childhood in Bradford.

Mr Gration says he is a 'bit of a tart' when it comes to the football team he supports, admitting he follows the fortunes of Bradford (Park Avenue), Bradford City and York City, but say the Bantams is the first result he looks for.

He also remembers as a boy watching Yorkshire cricket legend Fred Trueman playing for his beloved county at Avenue.

But Mr Gration not just confined himself to God's Own County. He reported on nine summer Olympic games and presenting on Saturday afternoon BBC sports show Grandstand.

Here’s the moment Harry Gration signed off BBC Look North for the final time.

Thank you for everything, Harry. pic.twitter.com/BAyM5lysg5

— BBC Yorkshire (@BBCLookNorth) October 21, 2020

He added: "I started off commentating on sport. I still love my sport.

"I want to go and watch Yorkshire CCC, if we are allowed to do that. There are a couple of county grounds that I want to go to."

Gration admits the biggest change in broadcast journalism during his career has been the advances in technology, that he dubbed as unbelievable. However, he did see the pros and cons of social media but has no time for trolls.