Tributes paid to former ITV News correspondent Harry Smith

Tributes have been paid to former ITV News correspondent Harry Smith who died suddenly on Friday morning at the age of 69, his family confirmed.

His family took to Twitter to confirm the news.

In a statement published on the social media platform, they wrote: "Very sadly Harry died suddenly early on Friday morning.

"It's so hard to believe his energy and sense of fun are gone.

"Many of you will have known him for his strong opinions and humour on here.

"He'll be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues."

ITV News Acting Editor Rachel Corp said: "Harry was an excellent journalist and reporter as well as being a good friend and great fun to be with.

"I personally worked very closely with him for a long time and there was no one better to turn around a complicated story, often a court case or similar, in a record time against a tight deadline.

"He was a master packager in the best tradition of ITV News as well as always digging out the latest lines and driving the story.

"I will also treasure many a good evening on location somewhere after working flat out all day, enjoying a few drinks – he was pretty indefatigable."

Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP, paid tribute to Harry in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

He said: "On this day Mr Speaker if we can also just acknowledge the sad death of Harry Smith, the ex-political reporter for ITV and Scottish Television, someone who will be sadly missed."

Throughout his career, he also worked for the BBC and ITN, as well as contributing to Channel 4 News and Al Jazeera.

He first joined STV as a reporter in 1989 and was the broadcaster’s political correspondent in London for 10 years from 2009.

Harry went on to become the longest serving reporter Westminster correspondent in the history of STV.

Former colleagues and politicians have paid tribute to the well-respected journalist.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is terribly sad news. Harry was a stalwart of Scottish and UK political reporting, and always a gentleman.

"My thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and former colleagues."

While ITV News' presenter Julie Etchingham said he was “an ITN man to his fingertips."

ITV News' Editor Geoff Hill wrote on Twitter: "Desperately sad news. He was an unflappable reporter and a lovely man. He was incredibly generous and supportive when I joined ITN. I’m so sorry for your loss."

Scottish broadcast journalist Bernard Ponsonby wrote a heartfelt tribute to his former colleague.

"Harry Smith had two great weapons in the art of cultivating what we journalists call ‘contacts’; a boyish irreverence and a misplaced bent for self-deprecation," he wrote.

"These character traits genuinely endeared him to those he dealt with but more than that it meant that all manner of people freely volunteered information.

"With a twinkle in his eye and a curiosity to find out what was going on, he plied his trade first on local newspapers and then at BBC Scotland, STV, ITN and then as a freelancer for STV and any other broadcaster that would grease his palm to do a job he loved."

Leader of the Scottish National Party Ian Blackford wrote "it was a privilege to have known Harry for 40 years."

"What did not change over time was the infectious smile he had," he added.

"It was always a pleasure to be interviewed by Harry, he was a professional and a gentleman. Rest in peace Harry, you will be missed by so many."

STV anchor John MacKay said on Twitter that Mr Smith was “a great character and seemingly unflappable on the many stories he covered for STV News.”

BBC News anchor Huw Edwards spoke of his “enormous respect” for Harry's talents.

Channel 4 anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy also paid tribute.

He wrote: "I’m so sorry to hear this news. He will indeed be sorely missed. Was great to have him part of the C4N family in recent years after so long at ITN/STV. That’s a great picture you have posted of him. My best wishes and condolences."

Former Labour advisor Alastair Campbell wrote on Twitter: "So sorry to hear this. He was a lovely man and a proper journalist."

While the Guardian's Jim Waterson commented: "He was such a nice man. Let us steal his desk in the lobby for years and didn’t care a jot as long as we made sure he got his event invites."