BBC and former STV News journalist Nick Sheridan dies aged 32

Colleagues and friends at both STV and BBC Scotland have been remembering the writer and broadcaster Nick Sheridan, who has died following a short illness in his adopted city of Glasgow.

Mr Sheridan collapsed whilst out running and is believed to have suffered an aneurysm. He died on Wednesday with his family, from County Wexford in Ireland, by his side.

His close friend, STV presenter Emma Cameron, who joined the station on the same day as Sheridan said, “From the first day of meeting Nick, I knew I had made a friend for life. We bonded over a love of musical theatre, Irish culture, journalism and food.”

Former colleagues at the commercial broadcaster have been visibly upset on Thursday by the news.

Head of news and current affairs Linda Grimes-Douglas summed up a sombre mood in the newsroom when she said, “As a team, we are heartbroken. He was an impeccable journalist and a brilliant colleague.”

STV News presenter Kelly-Ann Woodland said she would never forget Mr Sheridan’s “enthusiasm, hard work and sense of fun”.

Tributes have been paid to writer and broadcaster Nick Sheridan. Supplied

Weather presenter Philip Petrie said: “There were countless early Good Morning Britain shifts he and I shared, where he would keep the weary team amused with stories, pranks and even some renditions of Disney classics.”

The close friends he made on his first day at STV said: “Our perfect friend was amazing at everything he did. We have always been in awe of him.

“Few people could make us laugh or feel as special as he did. We are all so much better for knowing Nick and will miss him immeasureably. We are so proud of our wonderful, hilarious and beautiful friend.”

Further down the Clyde at BBC Scotland, staff will hold a minute of reflection after Thursday’s lunchtime Reporting Scotland airs.

Head of news Gary Smith told staff: “He was a hugely talented journalist, presenter and author, one of those people who light up the lives of everyone around them.”

Nick Sheridan, former STV News journalist and presenter, has died aged 32. Supplied

Nick Sheridan was educated at St Peter’s College in Wexford before graduating with a degree in journalism from Dublin City University in 2013.

He worked for the Irish public service broadcaster RTE for three years as a reporter, before moving to Glasgow to take up a post with STV in 2017.

During a year stint with STV, he became a hugely popular member of staff. He had a boyish charm which when allied to his soothing Irish lilt, made him a beguiling presence in the newsroom.

Nick Sheridan (left), former STV News journalist and presenter, has died aged 32. Supplied

This was at an embryonic stage in his career, but he cut a friendly and at the same time reassuring presence in studio, in a manner that belied his relative youth.

His cheery disposition put people at ease and allied to a keen sense of how to tell a story, made him a natural broadcaster.

He joined BBC Scotland in 2018 and it was here that the full scope of his talents flourished.

He took on the consumer affairs brief for news, broadcasting stories which were superbly told. They were highly accessible without tending to fluff and were presented with a growing confidence which placed Nick Sheridan in a category of ‘broadcaster to watch’.

As befits a talent who is starting out, the itch to broaden his range and test the extent of his journalistic versatility meant that he would move around productions across radio and television.

Incredibly, despite being a dedicated social animal, he also found time to write three books of which the 2021 publication Breaking News: How to tell what’s real and what’s rubbish was extremely well received.

Nick Sheridan was an assured broadcaster who could move from light touch to genteel probing, whilst all the time having a veterans’ sensitivity for the correct tone, that priceless asset normally displayed by those of broadcasting longevity.

At BBC Scotland he would present Drivetime, Lunchtime Live, Good Morning Scotland, Seven Days and The Sunday Show.

This impressive array of often demanding programmes brought him into the frontline of those who define the public life of the nation.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Nick was young, talented, vivacious and full of potential. What a horrible, senseless loss.”

Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said: “His awe-inspiring talent, humour and kindness will remain my abiding memory of him, and his body of published work will endure to inspire future generations of aspiring journalists.”

The shock of Mr Sheridan’s death when his career appeared on the cusp of great things has accentuated the sense of the horrible and brought a searing pain to the many colleagues who loved him.

This high-flyer was impressively grounded and in a very Irish way, so utterly unaffected by the plaudits that came his way.

His friends remember a great talent and as they deal with the awfulness of his loss, they will look to time to warm their affections, rooted in the glow of the memories of a lovely bloke.