Tributes to Granada veteran journalist

Tributes have been paid to journalist and presenter Bob Greaves who died aged 76 after a battle with cancer.

He appeared in 12,000 live shows during his time at Granada including a long stint as host of Granada Reports.

A broadcast from Chester Zoo, where he carried on reporting while an elephant investigated his trousers with its trunk, brought him to a wider audience when it featured on outtakes show It’ll Be Alright On The Night.

Former colleague Judy Finnigan said he had the “perfect personality” for the job. In a tribute on the Granada website, she said: “When he was out and about people would obviously flock to him all the time outside, and he was the man for the job. He had the perfect personality.”

Richard Madeley said: “He could operate at any level, he could talk to anybody, whatever they did, whoever they were, whatever their story was, Bob could interact with them and communicate with them.”

Mr Greaves, who died on Tuesday, started work as a newspaper journalist before joining Granada in 1963.

Current ITV Granada Reports presenter Lucy Meacock said it was “an absolute honour” to work with him.

She said: “He, quite rightly, became known as Mr Granada and for me it was like working with my favourite uncle. He was always very supportive, kind and tolerant.

“When I look back at my career some of my happiest days were in Studio Two with Bob. I have always counted myself very, very lucky to have worked alongside him. I will always remember him for his kindness and support.”