BBC Correspondent Brian Hanrahan Dies

One of the BBC's best known correspondents has lost his battle with cancer.

Brian Hanrahan, 61, was noted for his coverage of the Falklands War. He famously counted the returning Harrier jets to ensure he could report the story and get round MoD restrictions.

He said: "I'm not allowed to say how many planes joined the raid, but I counted them all out and I counted them all back. Their pilots were unhurt, cheerful and jubilant, giving thumbs-up signs."

He is also known for reporting on the reshaping of Nato and the EU, as well as conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Middle East, as well as Tiananmen Square and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

BBC's World News Editor Jon Williams said Mr Hanrahan "would always be remembered for an extraordinary story and an extraordinary turn of phrase.

"He could always be relied on to find the right word at the right moment... and he was loved by the audience," Mr Williams said.

BBC Director General, Mark Thompson said: "Brian was a journalist of unimpeachable integrity and outstanding judgement, but his personal kindness and humanity also came through. That is why audiences and everyone who knew him here will miss him very much."

In recent years, Mr Hanrahan covered ceremonial and state events such as the anniversaries of D-Day and the funerals of Diana, Princess of Wales and the Queen Mother, as well as 9/11 and the plane crash that killed President Lech Kaczynski.

Mr Hanrahan was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. His condition deteriorated after he was admitted to hospital with an infection 10 days ago.

(BMcN/GK)