Irish BBC presenter Nick Sheridan dies aged 32

BBC Scotland presenter Nick Sheridan has died aged 32 (BBC Scotland/PA)

BBC Scotland presenter and journalist Nick Sheridan has died aged 32 after a “short illness”.

The broadcaster announced his death in a social media post on Thursday, which paid tribute to him as “one of those rare people who light up the lives of everyone around them”.

Originally from Co Wexford, he had previously worked for STV and RTÉ in Dublin before joining BBC Scotland in 2018, where he presented shows including the flagship news programme Reporting Scotland, as well as the Nine and Seven Days.

Head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland Gary Smith said: “We’re devastated to hear the news our colleague and friend Nick Sheridan has died.

“Nick has been a wonderful colleague.

“He was a hugely talented journalist, presenter and author – and one of those rare people who light up the lives of everyone around them.

“Our hearts go out to his parents, his partner and to all his family and friends.”

"Nick has been a wonderful colleague. He was a hugely talented journalist, presenter and author – and one of those rare people who light up the lives of everyone around them."
 
Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland Gary Smith pays tribute to Nick Sheridan. pic.twitter.com/ksFQO3twzf

— BBC Scotland News PR (@bbcscotnewspr) March 7, 2024

BBC Scotland reported he had died after a “short illness”.

RTÉ News & Current Affairs managing director, Deirdre McCarthy, has this afternoon paid tribute to Mr Sheridan.

She said: “We are devastated by the very sad news of Nick's sudden death. Not only a talented journalist, Nick was also incredibly generous with his time and was always willing to help out his newsroom colleagues.

"He was kind and generous, warm and enthusiastic. Nick joined the news2day team as a young journalism graduate and under the guidance of programme editors Avril Hoare and Anne-Marie Smyth he developed into an outstanding journalist and presenter. 

"We were delighted to see him go on to join BBC Scotland and to become a successful children's author. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh an Anam.”

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf also paid tribute to Mr Sheridan, saying: “I wanted to say on behalf of the Scottish Government and the party I lead how sad we were about the tragic news of the loss of Nick Sheridan.

“Nick was an extremely talented journalist and author, he will be greatly missed. Many of us in this chamber will have been questioned by Nick, quite robustly no doubt, whether it was on BBC Drivetime or on many of the other programmes he presented.

“My thoughts are with his family, his many friends and indeed his colleagues at what will undoubtedly be a very sad time.”

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “On behalf of the Scottish Conservatives can I also pay tribute to Nick Sheridan. I have been interviewed by him in the past and he was a robust but extremely professional journalist, and I know his loss will be felt so much by his family and his friends, and in particular his colleagues at the BBC and across the media, by whom he was so highly regarded.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute to the “charismatic” journalist.