Barry Norman dies

Much loved film critic was 83.

by Jennie Kermode

He was Britain's most successful and popular film critic, hosting the BBC's flagship film review for 26 years. Now Barry Norman has died at the age of 83.

"He had a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career," said his daughters, Samantha and Emma, in a statement. "We will miss him more than we can say."

Norman, who had a passion for cricket and liberal politics, wrote on film for numerous national newspapers and was a CBE and the proud owner of a Richard Dimbleby Award from BAFTA. Throughout his life he was committed to supporting the British film industry. For the past year he had suffered from lung cancer, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep.

"A film critic and a provider of fine pickled onions. That’s a good life," tweeted Stephen Fry, referring to Norman's sideline as the owner of a brand of pickled onions based on an old family recipe.

Producer Jonathan Sothcott described Norman as "our most famous and charming film critic and an icon of Eighties TV."

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