Harry Gration was always just himself, and that was more than enough - Christa Ackroyd...
We just felt it telepathically. It came naturally. So much so we often forget we were broadcasting live on television.
Richard Whiteley was also more than a co-anchor. He too was a great friend. How strange I was at his house in Portugal with his widow There is another irony which occurs to me as I write this column. Look North inviting me to rejoin Harry’s former work colleagues on the red sofa after almost a decade would not have been lost on him either. He would have smiled at that. But understood why I couldn’t.
He simply didn’t have long enough to take time for himself and for the family he loved more than anything in the world after a wonderful career. And that makes me sad. And I would have left with a hug and a cheery ‘‘see you soon old girl’’ feeling better about the world for having spent time with him.
He shared himself openly and wholeheartedly and that was his uniqueness. He spoke to us through that little box in the corner of our living rooms as if the camera wasn’t there.