A BBC presenter has died aged 32 after collapsing while out running, friends have said.
Nick Sheridan is understood to have suffered a brain aneurysm around 10 days ago, prompting doctors to put him in an induced coma.
Friends said he passed away in hospital on Wednesday evening with his family by his bedside. BBC Scotland informed his colleagues by email on Thursday morning.
The broadcaster announced his death and paid tribute to him in a social media post on Thursday.
Gary Smith, head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, said: “We’re devastated to hear the news our colleague and friend Nick Sheridan has died. Nick has been a wonderful colleague.
“He was a hugely talented journalist, presenter and author and one of those rare people who light up the lives of everyone around them. Our hearts go out to his parents, his partner and to all his family and friends.”
Originally from Wexford in Ireland, Mr Sheridan had previously worked for STV and RTE in Dublin before joining BBC Scotland in 2018, where he presented shows including the flagship news programme Reporting Scotland.
He was also building a name for himself as a children’s author. Mr Sheridan was a keen runner and enjoyed outdoor swimming in Scotland’s lochs.
BBC Scotland reported he had died after a “short illness” and declined to provide further details.
‘Talented and full of potential’
Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “It is truly awful. Nick was young, talented, vivacious and full of potential. What a horrible, senseless loss. My thoughts are with his family, colleagues and many friends.”
Humza Yousaf paid tribute to Mr Sheridan during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood. He said: “I wanted to say on behalf of the Scottish Government and the party I lead how sad we were about the tragic news of the loss of Nick Sheridan.
“Nick was an extremely talented journalist and author, he will be greatly missed. Many of us in this chamber will have been questioned by Nick, quite robustly no doubt, whether it was on BBC Drivetime or on many of the other programmes he presented.
“My thoughts are with his family, his many friends and indeed his colleagues at what will undoubtedly be a very sad time.”
Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, said: “I have been interviewed by him in the past and he was a robust but extremely professional journalist, and I know his loss will be felt so much by his family and his friends, and in particular his colleagues at the BBC and across the media, by whom he was so highly regarded.”
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, also paid tribute to the “charismatic” journalist.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
