Legendary BBC presenter Craig Rich has died at the age of 86.
The BBC Spotlight star’s family confirmed the sad news, crediting his “amazing life”. He died “peacefully” on December 1 and leaves behind wife Pat and their three children Jo, Sarah and Thomas.
His former colleague Justin Leigh paid an emotional tribute to Craig: “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. So, no matter how stressful and panic-stricken the newsroom could be sometimes, the moment Craig arrived was a moment of joy every day. He brightened the day no end.”
As well as being the longest-serving regional weatherman, Craig famously solved an incredible mystery that had haunted fans.
In 1968, he became the Navigation Advisor to The Sunday Times, which sponsored the Round the World Yacht Race – the first non-stop global yacht race without a supporting crew.
Yachtsman Donald Crowhurst had mysteriously vanished from his boat in the Atlantic Ocean – and Craig was the one to find out what really happened. Crowhurst looked ready to take the crown – and a £5,000 prize – for the fastest solo time in the race.
He was reaching record-breaking speeds piloting his plywood boat, but went radio silent for the last month of the race in his boat, the Teignmouth Electron.
The boat became a ghost ship, found floating adrift in the South Atlantic in July 1969 with nobody onboard. Craig was asked to examine the logbooks found onboard, which revealed the sailor had been lying about his position in the race and the speeds he was travelling at.
It seemed he then took his own life, though his body was never found. Craig, meanwhile, helped to pen a book about the tragedy, as well as being interviewed for several documentaries about the incident.
Tributes have been flooding in for Craig, with his former BBC colleague Gillian Miles writing: “Sad news today to hear of Craig’s passing – a true gentleman of the airwaves! – Craig started his broadcasting career at BBC Spotlight when Chris Denham and myself co-hosted.
“His professionalism and unfailing good humour contributed greatly to the programme – he is remembered with fondness and affection.”
Radio Devon host 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.”