Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> Notices, obituaries and tributes >> ALEX KIRBY http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1764608727 Message started by Sally Freestone on Dec 1^st, 2025, 5:06pm

Title: ALEX KIRBY
Post by Sally Freestone on Dec 1^st, 2025, 5:06pm

Sad news to share: our dear Alex Kirby - “Axel” to so many of us - died a week ago, on Sunday 23 November. He was in the Royal Sussex County Hospital, with Belinda and their sons, Edmund and Thomas, constantly by his side. They stayed with him throughout the thirteen days he was in hospital, and when the end came it was peaceful. His illness, recently diagnosed renal cancer, progressed with frightening speed.

Many of us will remember Alex from Room 3116, the Specialist Correspondents’ Unit in BH; the World Service Newsroom in Bush House; the Online Newsroom in TVC; the room off the Spur Newsroom in TVC where those with specialist briefs came together in a multimedia pot; and, of course, on the road, gathering and filing his pieces. He was a joy to work alongside – generous, encouraging, funny, and endlessly patient with those learning the craft.

Alex had a gift for explaining complex issues without dumbing them down - a skill valued by editors, policymakers and the audiences he served. He reported from North Africa (for BBC WS and as a stringer for United Press International) before returning to London to cover home news. He went on to specialise in agriculture and environment stories for most of his career, with a short spell swapping wellies for a different brief as Religious Affairs Correspondent, before leaving the BBC to pursue freelance life as a “jobbing hack” (his own words on LinkedIn).

In 2013 he co-founded the Climate News Network with three fellow veterans of the climate beat, creating what one scientist admiringly called “the folk memory of British climate journalism.” The project embodied his long experience and his deep belief in the need for clear, objective, accessible reporting on the planetary crisis - not alarmist, not evasive, just rigorously honest.

With his characteristic irreverence he sometimes described himself as a “former Godbotherer,” yet he carried into every stage of his working life a deep pastoral instinct - an ability to comfort, to listen, and to help others make sense of the world. And he remained a loyal friend to former colleagues long after leaving the BBC.

A few of us last saw him in August, when Juliet Bremner, Philippa Goodrich and I spent a wonderful day with Alex and Belinda in their garden in Lewes. He was in his element, with memories of stories and colleagues - and the occasional cheeky expletive - flowing freely. (NOTE: we have a lovely photograph of him proudly carrying the leather bag we gave him when he left the BBC; he treasured it still. As we treasured him. We haven't been able to attach that to this post).

A service to celebrate Alex’s life will take place at 12 noon on Monday 15 December at St Michael in Lewes Church, 158 High Street, Lewes BN7 1XU. A wake will follow at The Pelham Arms, a ten-minute walk up the High Street, where the family will join us for refreshments after returning from the crematorium. There is no expectation of black clothing - colour is warmly welcomed to help celebrate Alex’s life.

If you’re able to attend the funeral and wake, a quick email would greatly help the family with their plans; thank you. I can also provide an address to send condolences to via email as well.

Paul Reynolds will speak at the funeral about Alex’s life and times at the BBC, where he carved the majority of his career. If you have memories or stories you’d like to share, please send them to me and I will collate them for Paul as he prepares his tribute.

My email address is: sefreestone@gmail.com

With best wishes, Sally Freestone.