- Sheridan died last Wednesday aged just 32 after several days in intensive care
Heartbroken family members and friends of Nick Sheridan today bid their final farewell to the late BBC Scotland presenter as he was laid to rest in a touching ceremony in his native Ireland.
Sheridan’s funeral mass is taking place at St Ibar’s Church in his home county of Wexford, where his wicker coffin was seen adorned with a colourful wreath and a pair of framed pictures displaying the broadcaster in his youth.
It was laid there by a group of six sombre-looking pall-bearers who earlier unloaded the simple casket from a hearse outside the small, understated 19th century church.
The children’s author and journalist, who was best known for presenting shows including Drivetime and Reporting Scotland, was out jogging when he collapsed after suffering a brain aneurysm.
He died last Wednesday aged just 32 after several days in intensive care, surrounded by family.
The parish priest told mourners gathered at St Ibar’s Church that the BBC Scotland team were watching the mass on a livestream organised by Sheridan’s friends.
During the eulogy, Sheridan’s older brother Brian described him as a ‘talented and generous soul’ who was ‘a calming voice’ in the family but who also ‘loved the craic the most’.
He added: ‘Nick epitomised everything that is good in life – family, friendship, creativity, and most of all kindness.’
He said the family were ‘so proud’ of the journalist’s career success and added: ‘Despite Nick’s humility, his creative talents knew no bounds. An accomplished author, Nick’s fifth book will be released in the coming months.
‘He spent every free moment of his childhood typing up and hand-delivering local news bulletins and creating short stories, all of which contributed to his success as an author in recent years.
‘Singing and music were Nick’s greatest gifts, whether performing the lead role in stage musicals or singing in this church at Christmas, his talent shone through and never failed to capture his audience.’
The journalist’s brother added: ‘To Nick’s friends gathered here today, know that however much you loved him, you were loved back as much and more.
‘Our family has lost its guiding star, but we are so grateful to have had Nick in our lives for 32 years.
‘His star will continue to shine brightly down on us and we will never forget the amazing person he was and is.’
The Seamus Heaney poem The Given Note was read out during the funeral mass, marking the interest both sides of Sheridan’s family have for music and the written word.
During the prayers of the faithful, the staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow were mentioned for the care they gave to Sheridan, as were the students at the University of the West of Scotland where he had lectured.
Prayers were also offered for peace around the world, particularly in Ukraine, the Holy Land and other conflicts.
BBC Scotland announced Sheridan’s passing on social media last week, with the BBC reporting Sheridan died after a ‘short illness’.
Prior to securing a presenting role, Sheridan had been the consumer affairs correspondent for BBC Scotland News.
First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf led tributes to Sheridan last week as he began his weekly questions in the Scottish Parliament chamber, describing him as a ‘extremely talented journalist and author’.
Journalist Robbie Armstrong posted a photo of Mr Sheridan sat on a seawall with running gear on and said his friend had been ‘taken far too early from a world you gave your absolute everything to’.
He added: ‘You brought happiness into every moment that I had the sheer luck to share with you; you shone light into my darkest moments; you gave me laughter when there were tears; you believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
‘I’ll cherish the swims, the many pizzas we shared (even the monstrosity that was the meat-pizza!), the nonsensical voice notes, the pure craic and the razor wit.’
He spoke about camping trips that they shared together and ‘falling asleep under the stars’.
Mr Armstrong also shared footage of his friend singing in a pub and wrote: ‘I twice saw you bring a bar into stunned silence by singing the Wexford Rebellion song Boolavogue in your angelic voice to rapturous applause.
‘You were a joy to behold and a precious gift to this world. I’m utterly heartbroken and lost without you.’
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also paid tribute to the ‘talented and vivacious’ star today, while his colleagues at the broadcaster remembered him as a ‘lovely man’.
He is best known for presenting Drivetime, Lunchtime Live and the Sunday Show. He later wrote a book series for children which included The Case of the Runaway Brain and The Case of the Phantom Treasure.
On Thursday lunchtime, BBC Reporting Scotland aired a tribute to Mr Sheridan, consisting of a black and white picture of him along with his years of life.
A minute’s silence for him was also held at BBC Scotland offices, it was reported.
The presenter’s last post on X dated February 24 read: ‘On air from 8am with your weekend edition of Good Morning Scotland, reflecting on 2 years since Putin’s order for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.’
Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland Gary Smith said in a statement: ‘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.
‘Funny, clever, kind. A lovely man.
‘Our hearts go out to his parents, to his partner, and to all his family and friends.’
Sheridan reported for Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ News, before moving to Glasgow, and presenting STV News and the BBC.
First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf paid tribute to Sheridan as he began his weekly questions in the Scottish Parliament chamber, describing him as a ‘extremely talented journalist and author,’ Sky News reported.
‘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 that he presented.
‘My thoughts are with his family, his many friends and indeed his colleagues. It will undoubtedly be a very sad time for them.’
Nicola Sturgeon posted on X: ‘So terribly sad to read this. 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.’
Sheridan’s co-host Fiona Stalker from BBC Scotland and Seven Days posted a touching tribute with photos of the pair.
She wrote: ‘There are no words. He was so very loved. I am so thankful for every minute with him. The very best.’
Kelly Given, who was on Channel 4’s Make Me Prime Minister before working at the BBC alongside Sheridan, said: ‘Working with Nick was truly the pleasure of a lifetime.
‘An absolute joy of a human being and a uniquely talented journalist. I’m not sure I will ever have the words.’
Brian O’Donovan of RTÉ News said: ‘So saddened by this. Nick was a great colleague and a talented broadcaster.’
BBC journalist Michael Sheils Mcnamee said: ‘Very shocking news. Nick was a lovely guy and a pleasure to work with.’
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar posted on X: ‘This is absolutely heartbreaking news.
‘Nick was a phenomenally talented young journalist, well-liked and with a bright future ahead of him.
‘My thoughts are with his family, friends and all his colleagues at the BBC.’
Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tories leader, wrote on X: ‘This is terribly sad news. Nick was a superb journalist who embodied the best traditions of journalism.
‘My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.’
Fans also expressed their grief at the news, with one commenting: ‘I liked him on the couch and presenting the News. He was a natural in front of the camera. So sad to hear this.’
Sheridan was working on his upcoming fourth book, which tragically he won’t see published in June of this year.
Titled ‘The Case of the Poisonous Pigs’, it will be the third in a series hailed as the ‘Scooby-Doo for a new generation’.
His excitement for the project shined through in his posts on X, with one in January reading: ‘Getting an email with illustrations for Book 4 by the incredible David O’Connell’ accompanied by a Muppet GIF and emojis.
His literary agency posted on X in tribute to the author and presenter: ‘We are all heartbroken that our client Nick Sheridan passed away yesterday after a short illness.
‘Nick was a talented author and a much-loved colleague and we will all miss him deeply. Our thoughts are with his partner, his family, his friends and his loved ones.’
His agent Lydia Silver added: ‘I’m devastated by the news that my client Nick Sheridan died yesterday.
‘Nick was a brilliant author who loved writing for children, and a great friend. He lit up every room he walked into and was a joy to be around. My thoughts are with everyone who loved him.’
The Scottish Book Trust said in a tribute: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn that our friend Nick Sheridan has died.
‘A talented author and host, we worked with Nick on Authors Live and our children’s book tour. He had the ability to bring joy to everyone he met. Our hearts go out to Nick’s family, partner and friends.’
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.
