ITV Calendar presenter Christine Talbot has shared a heartfelt tribute following the demise of cameraman Rick Pickard, her colleague of over 30 years who lined a number of main tales

An ITV information star has handed away, with heartbroken colleagues sharing tributes to the ‘sort man’.

ITV Calendar presenter Christine Talbot has introduced the heartbreaking information that cameraman Rick Pickard has died, sharing a group of touching images of her beloved colleague. The digital camera operator, affectionately dubbed Uncle Rick, documented among the greatest occasions of the final 5 many years, together with the miners’ strikes and the Hillsborough tragedy.

Writing on Instagram, the 56-year-old broadcaster posted a collection of behind-the-scenes photos, many exhibiting his group all through the years and even Hannah Hauxwell, the long-lasting First Lady of the Dales.

She stated: “We stated goodbye this week to one of many kindest and nicest males I ever labored with in TV”, experiences the Mirror.

The assertion continued: “Rick Pickard had an unimaginable profession as a cameraman on YTV and ITV, protecting the most important tales, from being referred to as in late at evening to movie the now iconic studio interview with Don Revie and Brian Clough, to the miners’ strikes and Hillsborough, and a lot extra.

“He got here with me to movie the legendary First Lady of the Dales, Hannah Hauxwell, and we took these photographs on the moors close to her house. She liked him and all the time requested if he’d be coming once more every time we filmed.

“He went on to a senior administration function at Calendar, however even after he retired, he was typically again with us behind the digital camera. He liked the job.”

The ITV Calendar presenter additionally revealed that he was a gifted younger footballer who’d been recruited by Sheffield Wednesday Beneath 21s in his youth.

She revealed: “Rick was a modest man, we realized at his funeral that he had signed for Sheffield Wednesday Beneath 21’s as a teenager till he broke his leg taking part in in a YTV soccer match! He was additionally an ace cricketer! He by no means informed us [smiling emoji].

“A particular private reminiscence too, Rick was so sort to me when my Dad died, I will always remember his gentleness, he handled me like his personal daughter after I got here again to work [heart emoji].

“He was like a dad to us all, though we referred to as him ‘Uncle Rock’ (or his different nickname ‘Jean Luc’ as within the Star Trek character (cry-laughing emoji). The massive turnout of previous and present faces from ITV Calendar at his funeral yesterday demonstrated how liked he was, although, as his household stated, he’d have hated the eye.”

The mother-of-one revealed that the ultimate snap in her assortment of images together with her former colleague was taken only a fortnight earlier than his demise.

She defined: “The final picture right here was taken only a few weeks earlier than Rick died when a number of of us met up with him, his beautiful spouse Jane, and daughter Sarah.

“It was a special occasion reminiscing and laughing about all kinds of previous tales, and we deliberate extra meet-ups within the New 12 months. Sadly, that was to not be. Goodbye to Rick Pickard, a YTV legend and a genuinely good man.”

Followers shared their ideas within the remark part, with one particular person writing: “Lovely phrases for a real gentleman in each sense.”

One other added: “Appears like a tremendous profession protecting a lot at YTV. My condolences to his household and pals, together with his YTV colleagues. RIP Rick.”

A 3rd particular person contributed: “A well-deserved and private tribute, Christine, and thanks for sharing your very fond reminiscences of Rick and the way he was one of many group members who made ITV Calendar one of the best information packages on TV [applause emojis].”

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