Film… hosts lead tributes to Barry Norman

The late critic was the longest-serving presenter on the series.

Barry Norman’s Film… successors have led tributes to the critic who has died aged 83.

His family announced that he had passed away in his sleep on Friday night.

Norman presented BBC One review show Film… from 1972 to 1998 and those who followed him in the role offered their respects after hearing the news.

Barry Norman’s successors paid tribute to him (BBC/PA)

— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) July 1, 2017

Claudia Winkleman then took on the role from 2010 to 2016.

— Claudia Winkleman (@ClaudiaWinkle) July 1, 2017

BBC director-general Tony Hall released a statement about the corporation’s former star.

He said: “Barry Norman was a first class presenter and critic. Film buffs always found his programmes essential viewing.

“He dominated broadcasting about films for a generation with wit and great knowledge.

“He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Fellow film critic Mark Kermode also offered his condolences.

— Mark Kermode (@KermodeMovie) July 1, 2017

Food critic Jay Rayner took to the piano for a musical tribute as he hammered out the theme tune to Film…

— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) July 1, 2017

Stephen Fry reminded fans of Norman’s pickled onion brand.

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) July 1, 2017

Comedian Leigh Francis, DJ Trevor Nelson, actor Nitin Ganatra and chef James Martin also tweeted tributes.

— Leigh Francis (@LeighFrancis) July 1, 2017

— Trevor Nelson (@DJTrevorNelson) July 1, 2017

— Nitin Ganatra (@GanatraNitin) July 1, 2017

— James Martin (@jamesmartinchef) July 1, 2017

Writers Gyles Brandreth and Tony Parsons, presenters Paul Ross and Lizzie Cundy, and impressionist Rory Bremner were among those paying their respects.

— Gyles Brandreth (@GylesB1) July 1, 2017

— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) July 1, 2017

— Paul Ross (@paulross) July 1, 2017

— Lizzie Cundy (@lizziecundy) July 1, 2017

— Rory Bremner (@rorybremner) July 1, 2017

A statement from Norman’s daughters, Samantha and Emma, described him as “remarkable” and added: “He had a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career.”

Norman also wrote for the Daily Mail and the Guardian newspapers.

His literary agent Curtis Brown said he was “the defining voice of film criticism and insightful interviewing of screen legends from both sides of the camera”.

Barry Norman and family — Barry Norman with his wife and daughters in 1998 after being awarded a CBE (Fiona Hanson/PA)

Norman said at the time: “I was working as a gossip writer on the Daily Sketch for my sins, which was the only job I could get, and she was working as a very highly respected writer on the Daily Herald, as it was then.

“We met in Fleet Street and married.”