UNICEF warns of ‘dire’ winter risks for 1 million children in Middle East and North Africa

BEIRUT: Police are investigating the death of a British radio host whose body was found at his home outside Beirut.

Gavin Ford, who joined the Lebanese station Radio One in 1995, was found dead on Tuesday at his home in the town of Beit Meri, east of Beirut.

The cause of his death was unclear. However, police told Arab News that “Ford was likely killed for personal reasons.” 

Radio One announced Ford’s death on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

Ford’s daily breakfast show turned him into one of the station’s most popular broadcasters.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear Gavin Ford, a member of our team for many joyful years,” Radio One said.

Lebanon’s national news agency said the security services were not ruling out a criminal investigation.

Tributes poured in on social media for Ford, one of Lebanon’s most-loved radio hosts for years.

Ford had been living in Lebanon for 22 years in a house in Beit Meri, close to the radio station where he worked. The town, 17 km from Beirut, is in a mountainous area with a Christian majority and is popular with visitors in summer.

As Radio One’s management expressed its condolences to Ford’s family, a British Embassy spokeswoman told Arab News that “the embassy is in contact with the Lebanese authorities. We are examining the reports related to the British citizen and our staff are providing help to his family.”

She refused to comment on the cause of Ford’s death.

The national news agency said that a forensic doctor had examined Ford’s body as part of the police investigation.