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ITN newsreader turned politician Tim Brinton dies

By Paul McNally

Former ITN newsreader and Conservative MP for Gravesend Tim Brinton has died, aged 79.

Brinton joined the BBC as a radio announcer in the early Fifties after completing his National Service, before moving to ITN as one of its first newscasters.

He enjoyed a varied career, presenting documentary features, interviewing the Shah of Iran and accidentally becoming the first nude newscaster on television following a programme about Turkish baths.

In 1975 he was elected to Kent County Council and in 1979 became Conservative MP for Gravesend.

After leaving parliament in 1987, he ran a broadcasting consultancy, training businessmen and politicians, and also chaired a District Health Authority.

Brinton was married twice and had six children.

His widow Jeanne said: “Tim will be missed by his many fans all over the country, who will feel they have lost a personal friend. The children, grandchildren and I deeply mourn his death.”

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The family is organising a private funeral and a memorial service later in the year.

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