Former BBC journalist Stephen Walker dies, aged 61

The award-winning journalist and author Stephen Walker has died at the age of 61.

The former BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent wrote five books including biographies of two of the key players in the Northern Ireland peace process John Hume and David Trimble.

During a high-profile career at the BBC for three decades, he was an investigative reporter on the Spotlight programme as well as being both London correspondent and political correspondent.

He covered the latter years of the Troubles, the peace process, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and Brexit.

Born in England and educated in Northern Ireland, Walker became a BBC reporter in 1989 with Radio Leeds, before joining BBC Northern Ireland in 1991.

His journalism on the Spotlight documentaries 'The BlackCatch' and 'The Life and Death of an IRA Quartermaster' were recognised with a European Journalism Award in 1995 and Royal Television Society Award in 2001, respectively.

In 2005 he was named the Northern Ireland Journalist of the Year by the CIPR and was also part of the BBC Newsline team that reported on the death of Ian Paisley. The coverage was awarded an Irish Film and Television Award in 2015.

Although he suffered from an illness in recent years, he continued to work and to write.

As well as political books, he wrote about military history including Ireland's Call: Irish Sporting Heroes who fell during the Great War.

Walker is survived by his wife Katrin, daughter Grace and sons Gabriel and Jack.

His close friend and former BBC NI colleague Mark Carruthers passed on a message from Walker's family in a post on X.

They said: "He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and son, a fine journalist and author, and the very best of friends.

"We are all heartbroken but grateful for his life so well and fully lived."

Carruthers himself said: "Stephen was an outstanding journalist. He was old-school - interested only in the truth when it came to his professional life.

"He never made the mistake so many others make of thinking the story - whatever it might have been - was about him.

"He was fearless, determined and fair-minded. As a friend he was unrivalled - loyal, generous and very, very funny."

Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said the organisation was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death.

"Over more than three decades at the BBC Stephen demonstrated his considerable talents as an investigative journalist and political correspondent.

"Stephen had a gift for simplifying the complex and ensuring viewers, listeners and readers got a better understanding of the politics of Westminster, Belfast and Dublin thanks to his insightful analysis.

"Stephen was also a wonderful human being; warm, friendly, full of integrity and irrepressibly curious.

"Northern Ireland has lost a great writer, broadcaster and biographer and our sincere condolences go to Katrin and the entire family circle at this very sad time."

Damien Magee, acting head of news, BBC NI said: "All of us in the BBC News NI newsroom are very sorry to hear the news about Stephen Walker.

"We send our deepest sympathies to Stephen's family and friends.

"Stephen was a fantastic, award-winning journalist, a talented writer and a friend to all of us in the newsroom. He was a mentor to many and a true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour.

"He will be sorely missed."

BBC News NI's political editor Enda McClafferty said Walker was a top journalist who brought "dedication and professionalism" to the job he loved for more than 30 years.

"But more than that he was a cherished colleague and valued friend to those who had the pleasure of working with him.

"His warmth and humour touched us all and we've been left with so many fond memories.

"But above all he was a family man, a wonderful father, husband and brother and our thoughts are with his wife Katrin, daughter Grace and sons Jack and Gabriel."

Walker was a fanatical football supporter, especially of his hometown team Ballymena United, where he was a season ticket holder.

The club paid tribute saying: "Stephen was a fanatical Sky Blue at heart and a regular supporter of the team both home and away.

"Our collective thoughts are with the entire Walker family and his many friends at this sad time."

Political parties on all sides have expressed their sadness at the passing of Walker.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill wrote on social media: "Deepest condolences to Stephen's family and friends at this sad time. He was a real gentleman and a pleasure to chat with at all times."

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said:

"I am deeply saddened by the death of Stephen Walker.

"Stephen was a highly respected journalist and gifted author whose work helped audiences understand Northern Ireland's politics through some of its most momentous decades.

"He had a genuine interest in people and this was reflected in the time he spent building relationships when he worked as the Westminster correspondent for BBC NI."

Over the years he interviewed five prime ministers and 15 Northern Ireland secretaries of state and covered countless elections at Westminster, Stormont and council level.

Reflecting on his reporting with the BBC when leaving in 2023, Walker said: "It has been the privilege of my life to work for the BBC.

"I am grateful to the hundreds of people who trusted me with their stories over the past three decades.

"It has been exciting to witness history and help tell the story of the place we all call home.

"I have reported on the good times and the difficult days. Yet, amidst the sadness and the seriousness, I have had loads of fun."