Brian Hanrahan 1949 - 2010

20/12/2010 16:59:00

Former VSO volunteer, Brian Hanrahan, one of the most famous BBC correspondents - best known for his coverage of the Falklands War - has died at the age of 61 after a short battle against cancer.

His reporting spanned conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Middle East. As the BBC's Far East, and then Moscow correspondent, he watched dramatic changes unfolding in China and Russia. He covered Tiananmen Square and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

At the age of 20, Mr Hanranhan spent a year with VSO teaching science in The Gambia. Paying tribute to Mr Hanrahan, Brian Rockliffe, VSO UK Director, has issued the following statement:

“I would like to add VSO’s voice to the many tributes made to Brian’s family today. It is not only a great loss to the BBC, but it is moreover a great loss to the tradition of dignified reporting, for which he will forever be remembered. As with many volunteers who spent an early part of their life working with VSO, we are proud that this experience contributed the world view of a journalist of integrity and outstanding judgement.”