Original message Monday 8th December 2025 From Jan Burgess

I'm so sorry to have to give you some sad news. Michael is in hospital with a serious complication of his immunotherapy treatment, he has a bowel perforation but surgery is not a feasible option, so he’s being made comfortable on a low dose of morphine.  It's all very sudden, last Saturday he was moving bags of logs into the side passage to get ready for Christmas but was then admitted to Charing Cross on Thursday. He's comfortable & very sleepy. Peter and James are here, which is a great support to us both.
We’ve been able to move him to a room in the private wing which is much quieter and more suitable.

How things can change so quickly.

Best wishes Jan

TWO HOURS LATER Monday 8th December 2025

John Holden called Roger to say Mike had passed away. Roger informed the curry group.

I am so sad to inform you that Mike Burgess passed away a few moments ago in Charing Cross hospital. He was a good chum to us and I for one will miss him. His last few days were sleepy but comfortable but he had complications which made an operation impossible.

Such sad news.
We've lost one of the best
Cathi McGill

What a shock, I didn’t know he was ill. Poor Mike and just before Christmas as well. He was part of my life over the last 50 plus years. From working with him in the BBC to working with/against him for ITN, we had many a good time and laugh together in various parts of the world.              He will be sorely missed R.I.P.    
Bill Frost

That's incredibly sad. Mike was such a lovely and warm person. We will miss him greatly. Thank you for letting us know
Clara Millson

Terribly sad news. He was a close friend and a one off with a special sense of humour. I was due to stay with him and Jan on Wednesday night and we had other plans in the diary.
A great loss.
David Pearson

RIP Mike.
I have fond memories of being on jobs around the UK and some Foreigns with Mike. He was always good company.
Martin Cheshire

Very shocked to hear about Mike.  I always looked forward to seeing him at the curry.  He was always a great friend and I will miss him.
Vince Fitzgerald

I'm  shocked rigid by this sudden turn of events,
Kick Lera

This is very sad.
I was Mike's lodger for a couple of years in the late '70s. He was a good friend, very easy to get on with, and had a great sense of humour. He'll be greatly missed
Andy Stevenson

How dreadfully sad. A lovely man with a great sense of humour! I will miss him. We used to share a Biryani at Monty’s!
Barbara Probst

So upsetting for Jan and their family to lose Mike just before Christmas- I know Nick had huge respect for Mike and that he was a good friend to so many in editing.
Hugs to Jan,
Jill Wells

A delightful man - warm and interested - and as picture editor he was top drawer. Efficient supportive and always charming.
As some of you have already demonstrated, he will indeed be greatly missed.
Chris Lowe

Mike was a lovely guy always ready for a chat always kind and considerate. We will miss him .
Derek Wisbey.

He was a great picture editor - but most of all a fun loving great colleague.  He is sorely missed.
Liz Rembowska

He was also a great mentor to us from the camera unit when we were all expected to take up editing. Giving freely of his advice and extensive knowledge and experience. And a really nice guy to boot, as you say.
Rest in peace Mike, and thank you
Eddie Stephens

RIP Mike
Jon Daly