Former UTV Political Editor Ken Reid dies at age of 69, family says

Veteran Northern Ireland journalist Ken Reid has died at the age of 69 after an illness, his family has announced.

Mr Reid was best known as the long-time political editor of UTV, where he reported on many of the worst atrocities of the Troubles before chronicling the peace process.

ITV director of news Michael Jermey described him as “a towering figure in broadcasting in Northern Ireland”.

Mr Reid had previously spoken publicly about his battle with leukaemia and received well wishes from former prime minister Tony Blair among others.

He was married to Liz and was father to three children – Gareth, Sarah and Sophie – and a grandfather.

Mr Reid’s career in journalism began in 1977 at the News Letter and he was later sports editor and editor at the Sunday News.

He then worked for the Cork Examiner before joining UTV in 1994, where he held a number of senior editorial positions over 27 years before his retirement.

During his time as political editor he interviewed seven prime ministers and well as US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Mr Jermey said: “Ken was a towering figure in broadcasting in Northern Ireland.

“He will be enormously missed by colleagues in UTV and right across the wider ITV.”

He added: “Ken was a wonderful journalist. Well informed, intelligent and always utterly impartial in his approach to reporting.

“He had a ringside seat at some of the most significant moments of modern history – perhaps most notably the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

“Ken was supremely well informed and he shared his deep knowledge with UTV viewers across three remarkable decades.

“He was hugely respected right across the television industry. I will miss him enormously and everyone at UTV and ITV send their sincere condolences to his widow, Liz, his children and his family and friends.”

Chris Hagan, editor of news at UTV, said: “Ken was the master of his craft. A brilliant role model who set standards.

“People said when prime ministers talked and they talked about Northern Ireland, they talked to Ken.

“He had the true inside track. It made him probably the most trusted journalist in Northern Ireland.

“People tuned in because they trusted him.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has also paid tribute to Ken Reid.

The Minister said: “I want to first and foremost express my deepest condolences to Ken’s wife Liz, his children and grandchildren and the whole family circle.

“It is hard to put into words the sadness felt today by all of us who knew Ken.

“The tributes that will pour in for him will demonstrate the great esteem in which he was held. I hope this will provide some comfort to his family.

“I met Ken just a few weeks back at a blood cancer awareness event and he was in good spirits. While he had a long struggle with poor health, his death is still a shock.

“I will remember him not just as a friend and a long-standing colleague, but as one of best journalists Northern Ireland has produced.

“Most importantly, he was a good and kind man, always supportive to fellow journalists regardless of who they worked for.

“His integrity and professionalism meant he was trusted and respected across the political spectrum. He landed countless scoops as a result. Because he was authentic, kind, curious and caring in equal measure. He was even handed and entirely trustworthy.

“He had a zest for life, for work and for sport. Most of all, he had a deep and abiding love for his family. All of us who worked with him and knew him are devastated today. The world of broadcasting and journalism is a lesser place without Big Ken. My broadcasting brother.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: "It is with the utmost sadness that I have learned of the death of veteran journalist and former UTV political editor Ken Reid.

"Ken Reid was a giant of journalism and broadcasting in Northern Ireland at key moments for 30-years during the peace process.

"He had a front row seat for all the main events and shared his insight with great clarity and expertise to a generation of viewers across Northern Ireland, Ireland and Britain.

"Off air he was an interesting and well informed gentleman who didn’t need to dominate the limelight.

"To his family, friends and many colleagues, I am sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace."

DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of Ken’s passing. He was a colossus is his field.

"Ken was a special journalist in Northern Ireland as someone who managed to get to the heart of all the major political stories and cover the difficult issues whilst remaining the respect, admiration and affection of representatives from all political opinions,

"He had contacts locally and nationally built up over many many years and his passing will be deeply felt by many of us.

"My thoughts are with his wife and family at this difficult time but I hope the regard that he was held in by so many can offer some comfort to them as they comprehend such a huge loss.

"Despite his illness, Ken was keen use his condition to campaign for better outcomes for patients and raise public awareness. This is a testament to his view of public service.”

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP said: “For generations of people in Northern Ireland Ken Reid was a familiar face on our television screens. From the darkest days of the Troubles to the Good Friday Agreement and the early years of the peace settlement, he was a reassuring figure, who offered keen analysis with a comforting whit and easy charm, though he suffered no fools.

“Right up until his retirement, Ken was very active and our paths crossed on many occasions as he covered every facet of political life here. The high regard he was held in by everyone in Northern Ireland has been evident in the outpouring of love and support for him as he courageously and stoically battled illness in recent years.

“On behalf of the SDLP I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and UTV and media colleagues. His impact on the media landscape here will not be soon forgotten.”

Mr Reid was originally from Belfast, but his adopted hometown was Ballymena. He supported Cliftonville and Everton at football and Ballymena Rugby Club.

In a statement, Cliftonville said: "Cliftonville Football Club are deeply saddened to learn of the death of respected broadcaster and lifelong Reds fan Ken Reid.

"A former newspaper journalist who is best known for his distinguished role of political editor at UTV, Ken was named News Broadcaster of the Year at the CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards in both 2005 and 2006, and was a familiar and formidable figure to politicians the world over.

"He regularly expressed his love for – and, in time honoured tradition, regular frustrations with – Cliftonville to his many social media followers and was the Guest of Honour at the Club’s Matchday Lunch in February 2020.

"Having been gifted his first Season Ticket by his grandfather back in 1961, he later went on to become a Full Member of the Club, and all at Solitude extend our condolences to Ken’s family, many friends and work colleagues at this very difficult time."

Earlier this year, he was honoured with the Chancellor’s Medal for services to journalism, along with former BBC political editor Stephen Grimason.

Mr Grimason died in April.

Speaking to the PA news agency about his career earlier this year, Mr Reid said: “You don’t make progress in Northern Ireland unless you take risks – that’s the lesson (of the peace process).”

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