Family of BBC Scotland presenter Nick Sheridan say final farewell

Heartbroken relations and pals of Nick Sheridan at this time bid their remaining farewell to the late BBC Scotland presenter as he was laid to relaxation in a touching ceremony in his native Ireland. 

Sheridan’s funeral mass is going down at St Ibar’s Church in his residence county of Wexford, the place his wicker coffin was seen adorned with a vibrant wreath and a pair of framed footage displaying the broadcaster in his youth.

It was laid there by a gaggle of six sombre-looking pall-bearers who earlier unloaded the straightforward casket from a hearse exterior the small, understated nineteenth century church. 

The kids’s creator and journalist, who was greatest recognized for presenting reveals together with Drivetime and Reporting Scotland, was out jogging when he collapsed after struggling a mind aneurysm.

He died final Wednesday aged simply 32 after a number of days in intensive care, surrounded by household. 

The parish priest informed mourners gathered at St Ibar’s Church that the BBC Scotland staff have been watching the mass on a livestream organised by Sheridan’s pals. 

During the eulogy, Sheridan’s older brother Brian described him as a ‘gifted and beneficiant soul’ who was ‘a relaxing voice’ within the household however who additionally ‘cherished the craic essentially the most’.

He added: ‘Nick epitomised every thing that’s good in life – household, friendship, creativity, and most of all kindness.’

He mentioned the household have been ‘so proud’ of the journalist’s profession success and added: ‘Despite Nick’s humility, his artistic skills knew no bounds. An achieved creator, Nick’s fifth guide might be launched within the coming months.

‘He spent each free second of his childhood typing up and hand-delivering native information bulletins and creating quick tales, all of which contributed to his success as an creator in recent times.

‘Singing and music have been Nick’s biggest items, whether or not performing the lead position in stage musicals or singing on this church at Christmas, his expertise shone by and by no means didn’t seize his viewers.’

The journalist’s brother added: ‘To Nick’s pals gathered right here at this time, know that nonetheless a lot you liked him, you have been cherished again as a lot and extra.

‘Our household has misplaced its guiding star, however we’re so grateful to have had Nick in our lives for 32 years.

‘His star will proceed to shine brightly down on us and we’ll always remember the wonderful individual he was and is.’

The Seamus Heaney poem The Given Note was learn out throughout the funeral mass, marking the curiosity each side of Sheridan’s household have for music and the written phrase.

During the prayers of the devoted, the employees at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow have been talked about for the care they gave to Sheridan, as have been the scholars on the University of the West of Scotland the place he had lectured.

Prayers have been additionally provided for peace around the globe, notably in Ukraine, the Holy Land and different conflicts.

BBC Scotland introduced Sheridan’s passing on social media final week, with the BBC reporting Sheridan died after a ‘quick sickness’. 

Prior to securing a presenting position, Sheridan had been the patron affairs correspondent for BBC Scotland News.

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf led tributes to Sheridan final week as he started his weekly questions within the Scottish Parliament chamber, describing him as a ‘extraordinarily gifted journalist and creator’.

Journalist Robbie Armstrong posted a photograph of Mr Sheridan sat on a seawall with operating gear on and mentioned his pal had been ‘taken far too early from a world you gave your absolute every thing to’. 

He added: ‘You introduced happiness into each second that I had the sheer luck to share with you; you shone mild into my darkest moments; you gave me laughter when there have been tears; you believed in me after I did not imagine in myself. 

‘I’ll cherish the swims, the numerous pizzas we shared (even the monstrosity that was the meat-pizza!), the nonsensical voice notes, the pure craic and the razor wit.’

He spoke about tenting journeys that they shared collectively and ‘falling asleep below the celebs’. 

Mr Armstrong additionally shared footage of his pal singing in a pub and wrote: ‘I twice noticed you deliver a bar into shocked silence by singing the Wexford Rebellion track Boolavogue in your angelic voice to rapturous applause.

‘You have been a pleasure to behold and a valuable present to this world. I’m totally heartbroken and misplaced with out you.’

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon additionally paid tribute to the ‘gifted and vivacious’ star at this time, whereas his colleagues on the broadcaster remembered him as a ‘pretty man’.

He is greatest recognized for presenting Drivetime, Lunchtime Live and the Sunday Show. He later wrote a guide collection for kids which included The Case of the Runaway Brain and The Case of the Phantom Treasure. 

On Thursday lunchtime, BBC Reporting Scotland aired a tribute to Mr Sheridan, consisting of a black and white image of him alongside along with his years of life. 

A minute’s silence for him was additionally held at BBC Scotland places of work, it was reported. 

The presenter’s final publish on X dated February 24 learn: ‘On air from 8am along with your weekend version of Good Morning Scotland, reflecting on 2 years since Putin‘s order for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.’

Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland Gary Smith mentioned in an announcement: ‘Nick has been a beautiful colleague. He was a massively gifted journalist, presenter and creator – and a kind of uncommon individuals who mild up the lives of everybody round them.

‘Funny, intelligent, sort. A beautiful man.

‘Our hearts exit to his dad and mom, to his accomplice, and to all his household and pals.’

Sheridan reported for Ireland’s nationwide broadcaster RTÉ News, earlier than shifting to Glasgow, and presenting STV News and the BBC.

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf paid tribute to Sheridan as he started his weekly questions within the Scottish Parliament chamber, describing him as a ‘extraordinarily gifted journalist and creator,’ Sky News reported.

‘He might be vastly missed. Many of us on this chamber could have been questioned by Nick – fairly robustly little doubt – whether or not it was on BBC Drivetime or on most of the different programmes that he offered.

‘My ideas are along with his household, his many pals and certainly his colleagues. It will undoubtedly be a really unhappy time for them.’

Nicola Sturgeon posted on X: ‘So terribly unhappy to learn this. It is really terrible. Nick was younger, gifted, vivacious, and stuffed with potential. What a horrible, mindless loss. My ideas are along with his household, colleagues and lots of pals.’

Sheridan’s co-host Fiona Stalker from BBC Scotland and Seven Days posted a touching tribute with images of the pair.

She wrote: ‘There are not any phrases. He was so very cherished. I’m so grateful for each minute with him. The perfect.’

Kelly Given, who was on Channel 4’s Make Me Prime Minister earlier than working on the BBC alongside Sheridan, mentioned: ‘Working with Nick was actually the pleasure of a lifetime. 

‘An absolute pleasure of a human being and a uniquely gifted journalist. I’m unsure I’ll ever have the phrases.’

Brian O’Donovan of RTÉ News mentioned: ‘So saddened by this. Nick was a terrific colleague and a gifted broadcaster.’

BBC journalist Michael Sheils Mcnamee mentioned: ‘Very surprising information. Nick was a stunning man and a pleasure to work with.’

Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar posted on X: ‘This is completely heartbreaking information. 

‘Nick was a phenomenally gifted younger journalist, well-liked and with a vivid future forward of him.

‘My ideas are along with his household, pals and all his colleagues on the BBC.’

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tories chief, wrote on X: ‘This is very unhappy information. Nick was an outstanding journalist who embodied one of the best traditions of journalism. 

‘My ideas are along with his household, pals and colleagues at this troublesome time.’

Fans additionally expressed their grief on the information, with one commenting: ‘I appreciated him on the sofa and presenting the News. He was a pure in entrance of the digicam. So unhappy to listen to this.’

Sheridan was engaged on his upcoming fourth guide, which tragically he will not see revealed in June of this yr.

Titled ‘The Case of the Poisonous Pigs’, it will likely be the third in  a collection hailed because the ‘Scooby-Doo for a brand new era’. 

His pleasure for the undertaking shined by in his posts on X, with one in January studying: ‘Getting an e mail with illustrations for Book 4 by the unimaginable David O’Connell’ accompanied by a Muppet GIF and emojis. 

His literary company posted on X in tribute to the creator and presenter: ‘We are all heartbroken that our shopper Nick Sheridan handed away yesterday after a brief sickness.

‘Nick was a gifted creator and a much-loved colleague and we’ll all miss him deeply. Our ideas are along with his accomplice, his household, his pals and his family members.’

His agent Lydia Silver added: ‘I’m devastated by the information that my shopper Nick Sheridan died yesterday. 

‘Nick was an excellent creator who cherished writing for kids, and a terrific pal. He lit up each room he walked into and was a pleasure to be round. My ideas are with everybody who cherished him.’

The Scottish Book Trust mentioned in a tribute: ‘We are deeply saddened to study that our pal Nick Sheridan has died. 

‘A gifted creator and host, we labored with Nick on Authors Live and our kids’s guide tour. He had the power to deliver pleasure to everybody he met. Our hearts exit to Nick’s household, accomplice and pals.’