BBC's Sophie Raworth suffers heartache as family member dies days before hosting VE day coverage

Sophie Raworth is said to be dealing with loss whilst fronting coverage for the this week. It's been reported that her late father Richard Raworth died just days before the start of the milestone .

The broadcaster, 56, fronted the Nation Pays Tribute special on on the first day of the celebrations, which took place on bank holiday Monday. She's been back at the helm today for commemorations with the Nation Remembers, which is the latest of the broadcasts for the anniversary.

It's however been announced that her father Richard died, aged 83, prior to the occasion. It's been reported that he died just days before Sophie fronted the VE Day coverage on Monday after a "long battle" with .

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A source described Sophie as a "consummate professional" to and Richard's family confirmed his death in a statement to the outlet, published last night. They paid tribute to him and shared that they will "miss him always".

His family said: "[Richard] died peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's disease." They said he was "a man with a big heart and heaps of kindness and tenacity". They described him as a businessman, photographer, jazz bass player and "passionate" gardener, and said: "We will miss him always."

Sophie - who is the older sister of economist Kate Raworth, 54 - has spoken about her father having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease on occasion. She's said that it's a "horrible disease" and has fundraised for charity.

She notably ran the back in 2021 to raise money for the charity Cure Parkinson's. Sophie paid tribute to her father Richard on a fundraising page - which now boasts more than £6,000 in donations - at the time.

Sophie wrote four years ago: "My dad has had Parkinson's for several years now. It is a horrible disease. Yet he deals with it amazingly." She continued: "He never complains, just gets on with it with kindness and good humour."

Dedicating her marathon run to him, she then concluded: "Thanks for the endless coffees you've made me after long training runs over the years. And thanks of course for your love and support. You are wonderful. This run is for you."

She told fans on : "I'm running the London Marathon this weekend. This one is for my dad. He has Parkinson's and it's a horrible disease. So I'm raising a bit of money for a charity he supports @cureparkinsons to help them find one. [...] Thank you for any support you can give."

After completing the marathon, the journalist wrote in a post: "The wonderful London Marathon. After running through the deserted streets of London for months during lockdown, how amazing to be back out there with thousands of runners and the most amazing crowds. 3hrs 33. And £5000 raised for @cureparkinsons. A huge thank you."

Years prior, Sophie - who now has three children with her husband Richard Winter - spoke about her parents Richard and Jenny Raworth, now 82, after welcoming her first child. She told in 2005: "Having children really changes your relationship with your parents: we see so much more of them now."

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