Well-respected former Clitheroe journalist dies of coronavirus aged 67

A former journalist on the Clitheroe Advertiser who has died after contracting coronavirus was “gone in a matter of hours”, his widow has said.
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Tributes have been paid to Brian Hood, who caught COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital for treatment following a long-running fight with cancer.

The son of Gerald Hood, a former headmaster of Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Brian began his career on the Clitheroe Advertiser and also worked on Blackpool daily The Gazette before moving to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post. He later spent time on the Wall Street Journal and freelanced for most of the Fleet Street papers. Between 1993 and his retirement in 2018 he worked on London’s Evening Standard, where he served as a sub-editor and later production editor on its business pages.

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His widow Alison told the Evening Standard he “was gone in a matter of hours” after contacting the virus. She said: “How can you feel two such intense emotions at the same time: all-consuming sadness at losing him and intense happiness that I was lucky enough to have had this man in my life. Brian was loved and respected by everyone who met him. I can’t think of a single person who would disagree with that statement. “Amazing husband, wonderful father and loyal friend… I love you, honey, and long may you ‘look out to sea.’”

Brian Hood. Photo: London Evening StandardBrian Hood. Photo: London Evening Standard
Brian Hood. Photo: London Evening Standard

Evening Standard City editor, Jim Armitage, said: “He would be embarrassed at having his name in lights, but quietly rather proud, I hope. A wonderful, clever man who put up with a lot of mayhem from a chaotic City editor with calm, good grace.”

Brian died in Ashford, Kent, on Wednesday and a celebration of his life is planned. He is also survived by sons Tom and George.