Former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration becomes vice president of the Yorkshire Society

Bradford-born Mr Gration, a former history teacher, has been welcomed into the not-for-profit organisation that celebrates and promotes the region, its economy, history, heritage and culture.

Accepting the invitation, Mr Gration said: “I am very honoured to become a vice president of a society I treasure.

"Yorkshire means so much to me but particularly its folk. They are special. Kind, forthright, honest.

"Here in the Yorkshire Society we annually celebrate individuals and organisations that reflect that.

"Long may this continue. A privilege to be a part of it”.

Mr Gration had an award-winning career in broadcasting and for 38 years was the familiar of BBC’s Look North on television screens throughout the Yorkshire region.

He revealed last month he revealed that he was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia during the summer.

Although the illness was not related to Covid-19, he was taken to St James's Hospital in Leeds while shielding due to an undisclosed health condition which saw him absent from the programme for a period during the spring and summer.

He had confirmed earlier in the month that he would retire from BBC Look North due to cuts which mean that local news programmes will only have one presenter in future.

Mr Gration last week won in the presenting category at the Yorkshire Royal Television Society Awards.