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Former BBC reporter and journalist Tazeen Ahmad dies aged 48

Tazeen Ahmad has died at the age of 48. (Doug Peters / EMPICS Entertainment)
Tazeen Ahmad has died at the age of 48. (Doug Peters / EMPICS Entertainment)

BAFTA nominated journalist and news presenter Tazeen Ahmad died at the age of 48 on Wednesday following a battle with cancer, reports Al Jazeera.

She worked for BBC News, Channel 4 Dispatches and ITN as well as a foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Ahmad reported for BBC Three’s Liquid News and also presented the channel’s 60 second bulletins and News Show.

She went on to present Dispatches investigations on subjects such a sex gangs, female jihadis, beauty creams and cruise ships.

Read more: BBC Newsday presenter Julian Keane dies following long illness

She won an RTS Journalism award for the documentary The Hunt For Britain's Sex Gangs which also picked up a BAFTA Current Affairs nomination in 2014.

Tazeen Ahmad. (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)
Tazeen Ahmad on BBC Three's The News Show in 2003. (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)

Other broadcasters and colleagues have paid tribute to Ahmad, with BBC London News' Riz Lateef tweeting: "Am still in complete shock at the deeply sad news that Tazeen has died. She was fearless, passionate and kind... my heart goes out to her family #RIP."

Actor and presenter Adil Ray shared: "Very sad to hear of the passing of journalist and presenter Tazeen Ahmed.She was extraordinary. Committed to real, authentic issues & an amazing ability to tell the stories to a wider audience. She was always lovely & full of joy. Thoughts with her family."

BBC News South Asia correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan wrote: "Deeply saddened Tazeen Ahmad has died. In 2001 when I joined the launch of @bbcthree news, she was the Presenter. Graceful, kind and inspirational she became a mentor and friend. It meant so much to see a brilliant Asian woman excel. She was a dogged journalist + a role model."

While her agents Kright Ayton Management said: "We were proud to have represented Tazeen Ahmad for many years. Her journalistic career deservedly flourished presenting award winning documentaries for @Channel4 and international news for @nbc.

“She shone a light on important stories but did so with care, sympathy and integrity."