FORMER BBC and Channel 4 journalist Tazeen Ahmad has died aged 48 after a battle with cancer.

Ahmad, who worked as an investigative reporter and foreign correspondent in both Britain and the US, died on Wednesday night, her family announced today.

Tributes to Ahmad have poured in, with one former colleague describing her as "graceful, kind, and inspirational".

Ahmad was among the first Muslim Asian women to raise to the top of British broadcast journalism, and won multiple awards for her work.

In a statement announcing her death, Ahmad's brothers said: "We remain immensely proud of all she achieved – as a mother, journalist, writer and for her coaching work.

"So many people have been in touch remarking on her powerful ability to turn around people's lives for the better.

"She was so proud of her two young boys who are left to remember their loving, kind, smart, nurturing, beautiful mama.

"She was in an amazing room filled with sunflowers, cushions, candles and an abundance of love when she passed away, surrounded by her close friends and family."

'FEARLESS, PASSIONATE, AND KIND'

Over her career, Ahmad worked as a news and investigative reporter at the BBC, Channel 4's Dispatches, and US network NBC.

Her Dispatches documentary The Hunt for Britain's Sex Gangs won the Asian Media Award for Best Investigation in 2013.

As well as her work in journalism, Ahmad was an active advocate of women's rights and campaigner against domestic violence.

In 2017, she also gave a TEDx Talk about how to develop emotional intelligence.

Paying tribute, the Asian Media Awards said: "Tazeen was one of the most gifted journalists of her generation and during her life made an incredible impression on all those who met her."

BBC News South Asia Correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan wrote on Twitter: "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.

Tazeen paved the way in an industry that is not always accepting or supportive of women, especially women of colour. RIP courageous woman.

"It meant so much to see a brilliant Asian woman excel. She was a dogged journalist + a role model."

Adil Ray, creator and co-writer of BBC One sitcom Citizen Khan, wrote that Ahmad was "committed to real, authentic issues" and had "an amazing ability to tell the stories to a wider audience".

Adil Ray, Good Morning Britain presenter, added: "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."

Fellow GMB presenter, political reporter Ranvir Singh wrote: "Very upsetting news – I have watched and admired her work. Such a terrible loss to her family most of all, and secondly to journalism."

Radio 4 presenter Aasmah Mir said: "Yesterday we lost the award-winning journalist, presenter, writer and mother Tazeen Ahmad, not long after her 48th birthday to cancer.

"Tazeen paved the way in an industry that is not always accepting or supportive of women, especially women of colour.

"RIP courageous woman."

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Nazir Afzal, former chief prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Ahmad had "bravely investigated challenging issues in award winning programmes", adding that "48 is no age to go".

BBC London News presenter Riz Lateef said Ahmad was "fearless, passionate and kind".

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