Steve Hewlett RIP

Utterly brilliant piece of journalism over the last few weeks by both Steve Hewlett and Eddie Mair. He seemed to face up to every detail of his illness with incredible bravery and an astonishing lack of drama. I think anyone who criticises the BBC ought to be played the recordings of these interviews - they're quite excpetional.

RIP to Steve and to his widowed bride, whom he married in the last few days.

The interviews with him by Eddie Mair over the last few months or so have been remarkable. Mair was the perfect foil for him and it was very apparent that their friendship and mutual respect would allow for compelling listening over the following few months. He was a man who wanted to share what he was going through to raise even greater awareness. When he announced a week or so ago that he had got married and that his treatment was to cease because nothing more could be done it was very sad and yet he presented it in such a matter of fact way. Truly brave individual. RIP

I listened to their discussions and I have to say he came across brilliantly.

It was so cruel that treatment was stopped when he had previously had hopes of being involved in a trial of a potentially breakthrough treatment. But he faced the inevitable with a stoicism that you cannot help but admire.

Shocking that he died so soon after treatment stopped.

RIP

RIP