Latest news with #weatherpresenter
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ITV star dies aged 76 as BBC Doctor Who's Russell T Davies leads tributes
ITV presenter and weather reporter Wincey Willis has died at the age of 76 after being diagnosed with dementia. She was a weather presenter on the ITV programme Good Morning Britain, where she made history as the UK's first national female weather forecaster. Doctor Who screenwriter Russell T Davies has shared a touching tribute to the ITV alum, reflecting on an encounter with Wincey. Read more: UK heatwave will see 26 counties in England above 30C this weekend Russell even used her name in an episode of his 90s drama series Queer as Folk. Taking to social media, he wrote: "She hunted me down. She got hold of my email address just to tell me how delighted she was to be mentioned! She was absolutely hilarious and full of joy, what a lovely woman. "We corresponded for years, having a wonderful laugh, she was a hoot. What a great career! Adored her. Well done, Wincey, night darling." Wincey died back in December 2024, though news of her passing has only just been made public. Before joining GMB, Wincey was scouted for the role by ITV's deputy editor in chief, Clive Jones, while she was a presenter for ITV in the Tyne Tees region. She originally got into television when she was invited to audition for the position of weather presenter for Tyne Tees regional TV. A year later, she was awarded her own series on Granada titled Wincey's Pets. She also featured on the game show Treasure Hunt alongside Anneka Rice, though a contract dispute led Wincey to resign from TV-am in 1987. Later in life, she hosted radio shows for BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and for BBC Hereford & Worcester. She married bed salesman Malcolm Willis in 1972 and continued to use his surname after they divorced. Wincey returned to the North East to live in Sunderland after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2015.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wincey Willis - female weather presenter for ITV
Wincey Willis, the first female weather presenter for ITV, has died at the age of 76. Willis, known for her brightly-coloured jumpers and sunny charm when presenting the weather, died after suffering with dementia. She made history when she became the first female national weather presented, joining Good Morning Britain in 1983, the Mirror reports. READ MORE: Vernon Kay in 'terrible' admission as he flees family home amid 'stress' with Tess Daly READ MORE: Kate Middleton cancer update as Princess of Wales pulls out of Royal Ascot appearance Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Aged 34 when she got the job, Willis brought a more energetic approach to the weather when readings were often dominated by a more straight-laced approach to the forecast. "Most people don't want to know about high pressure over the Azores," she told the Liverpool Echo. "All they care about is whether they need their umbrella." Willis died on December 18 2024, but her death was only publicly announced this week. The energetic ensemble of Willis, the ever-beaming Anne Diamond, Rustie Lee with her culinary corner, and "Mad Lizzie" Webb's fitness feature propelled Good Morning Britain past BBC's Breakfast Time in viewership figures. A lover of animals, Willis even occasionally teamed up with the notorious rodent puppet sensation, Roland Rat, as her presenting responsibilities flourished. Her pioneering efforts opened doors for subsequent female weather presenters like Trish Williamson and Ulrika Jonsson, who also expanded into other areas of television. Originally named Florence Winsome Leighton, Willis was born in Gateshead, Co Durham, in 1948 before being adopted by Florence and Thomas Dimmock. Her quirky moniker 'Wincey' found its genesis from her middle name after classmates at her Hartlepool primary school sang Incy Wincy Spider. Willis departed school at the age of 16, journeying to France where she successfully completed her baccalauréat before enrolling at Strasbourg University. She returned to the northeast in 1975, securing a behind-the-scenes role at Radio Tees in Stockton-on-Tees. She transitioned into television when she was invited to audition for the position of weather presenter for Tyne Tees regional TV and a year later, she was awarded her own series on Granada titled Wincey's Pets. At the pinnacle of her career, during the mid-80s, she featured on the game show Treasure Hunt alongside Anneka Rice. A contract dispute led Willis to resign from TV-am in 1987, after which her television career largely came to a halt. In the following years, she dedicated her time as a conservation volunteer aiding endangered species globally. Wincey also hosted radio shows for BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and for BBC Hereford & Worcester. Her marriage to Malcolm Willis in 1972 ended in divorce. In recent years, Willis battled with dementia.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Wincey Willis dead aged 76: ITV's first female weather presenter and GMB icon passes away after health battle
A GOOD Morning Britain legend has died aged 76 after a battle with dementia. Wincey Willis, who etched her name in history as ITV's first female national weather presenter, sadly passed away following her health battle. 2 2 The TV icon died on December 18 last year but her death was only publicly announced this week. Willis joined Good Morning Britain in 1983, thanks to TV titan Greg Dyke. The trailblazing 34-year-old brought a fresh, animated take to the forecasts in a far more serious era. At the peak of her career, during the mid-80s, she featured on the game show Treasure Hunt alongside Anneka Rice. A contract dispute led Willis to resign from TV-am in 1987, after which her television career largely came to a halt. In the following years, she dedicated her time as a conservation volunteer aiding endangered species globally. Willis also hosted radio shows for BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and for BBC Hereford & Worcester.
