BBC weatherman Craig Rich who solved one of many largest mysteries of the Sixties dies aged 86 as household pay tribute to ‘wonderful life’
The BBC‘s first regional weather forecaster, who helped solve one of the biggest mysteries of the 1960s, has died aged 86 as his family and former colleagues paid tribute to his ‘amazing life’.
Craig Rich joined the BBC’s Spotlight team in Plymouth in 1978, where he remained for 25 years and became a screen favourite for viewers in the south-west.
Prior to his time in broadcasting, Rich was a Merchant Navy sailor and lecturer before serving as the navigation advisor to the Sunday Times, which sponsored the Round the World Yacht Race.
It was while in this role that Rich became aware of the plight of Donald Crowhurst, a British businessman and amateur sailor who mysteriously disappeared from his trimaran while competing in the rigorous round-the-world solo race in 1968.
Crowhurst, with his passion for the sport, talent at yachting and self-designed navigational aids, seemed like a sure bet to win the fastest solo time and scoop a £5,000 prize, worth £85,000 in today’s money.
But in the final weeks of the race, nothing was heard from Crowhurst.
His boat, the Teignmouth Electron, was later found adrift and abandoned on July 10, 1969, while Crowhurst’s body was never recovered.
As theories began to swarm around what had actually happened, Sunday Times editor Harold Evans asked Rich to take a look at Crowhurst’s log books.
Craig Rich, the BBC’s first regional weather forecaster, has passed away at the age of 86
A former Merchant Navy captain and navigator, Rich helped uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of Donald Crowhurst in the Round the World Yacht Race in 1968
An expert in navigation himself, Rich uncovered evidence that Crowhurst had lied about his progress in the race, with his suspicions raised further by ‘some very odd messages and claimed records’.
His findings hinted at the theory that Crowhurst had fabricated his log books before taking his life when he realised his boat was unlikely to complete the journey in the Southern Ocean.
Crowhurst’s story was later turned into the 2018 film, The Mercy, starring Colin Firth as Crowhurst and Rachel Weisz as his wife, Clare.
Rich went on to become an authority on the mystery and assisted Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall on their bestselling book, The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst.
Born in Plymouth on February 3, 1938, Rich went to Devonport High School for Boys, before leaving aged 16 to join the merchant navy.
He went on to captain ships around the world, regularly sailing between South Africa and the UK.
Rich later became a lecturer on navigation and meteorology at the Sir John Cass School of Navigation, City of London Polytechnic, as well as head of the department of Shipping and Transport at Plymouth Polytechnic.
As his career in broadcasting flourished, Rich presented his own show, That’s Rich, in the 1980s, a late evening series of local programmes.
Rich’s investigation into the mystery hinted at the theory that Crowhurst (pictured) had fabricated his log books before taking his life when he realised his boat was unlikely to complete the journey in the Southern Ocean
Rich was a member of the BBC Spotlight team in Plymouth for 25 years before retiring in 2003
He also produced and presented regular programmes for BBC Radio Devon.
When he retired from BBC Spotlight in 2003, Rich told BBC News: ‘I have had 25 years on Spotlight which has seriously changed my life.
‘I have been here for many of the historic stories of the past three decades including the Fastnet Race tragedy in 1979 and the Penlee disaster in 1981.
‘The highlights included interviewing the Princess Royal on HMS Nottingham at the start of the Tall Ships Race, and a programme from Ypres on the 80th anniversary of the Armistice.’
He added that he was looking forward to spending his winter in Cape Town ‘and much of the summer on my boat or playing golf’.
Following news on his death on Monday, former BBC Spotlight presenter Justin Leigh, told BBC News that the broadcaster had always ‘brightened’ the day for others.
He said: ‘Whenever I think of Craig, I think of laughter. Smiling and laughter.
‘He had a twinkle in his eye and an almost boy-ish love of telling jokes.
Presenter Fern Britton, who worked with him on BBC Spotlight, posted a tribute to Rich on X
BBC Radio Devon presenter Vic Morgan called Rich ‘one of the nicest and most humble people’
‘So, no matter how stressful and panic-stricken the newsroom could be sometimes, the moment Craig arrived was a moment of joy every day.’
Presenter Fern Britton, who worked with him on BBC Spotlight from 1981 to 1984 said: ‘I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Craig Rich.
‘A master mariner and meteorologist . Funny, kind and clever. He is a part of all our history and memories.’
BBC Radio Devon presenter Vic Morgan added: ‘Very sad to see the news about Craig Rich. One of the nicest and most humble people you could wish to meet.
‘Spent many happy hours in his company while @BBCDevon and genuine is the word I remember about him. I’m so sorry to hear this news.’
