I think there was similar grief when BBC Radio Shropshire's Vicki Archer died. It was such a shock and so tragic that a lovely, outgoing person could end her life in such a way. I listened to her most afternoons, and on that day I don't think there was any indication whatsoever about what was going to happen. Very sad indeed.
Note that Roger and Annabel did an interview for Granada and NWT shared copy with them too.
I wonder if it might have been the other way round, and Granada shared some material with NWT? I could imagine them being well aware of the likely mood in the BBC newsroom and offering a little help.
It would have been around that era that Look North (Leeds) got a dedicated forecaster. A continuity announcer (usually Peter Levy or Brian Baines before) him would do the forecast out of vision, often over a viewer's picture. I think John Mundy often did something similar in the North West.
I think there was similar grief when BBC Radio Shropshire's Vicki Archer died. It was such a shock and so tragic that a lovely, outgoing person could end her life in such a way. I listened to her most afternoons, and on that day I don't think there was any indication whatsoever about what was going to happen. Very sad indeed.
Yes that was who I was referring to.
They seem very similar in terms of their personalities and backgrounds, as was the shock and outpouring of grief. Although of course they died in very different circumstances
I did wonder how they'd do the weather, a good decision not to do a forecast at all, who would want to fill that position tonight?
Did they have a forecast at lunchtime?
Yes they did, Alex Hamilton who is presume would be the morning weather hub presenter.
Viewers are particularly close to long serving presenters in the regions. I think it’s something you mostly only get in the regions as as well as seeing them every night, you get to see their personalities as well, due to the light and shade during the bulletin, the lighter banter at the end, the fact the programmes are often double headed, the fact the presenters are often seen out and about in the region covering lighter stories as well as the hard news.
The 8:15 from Manchester is one of my earliest memories of Saturday morning kids shows, I wasn’t aware she was on it as it is a distant memory and I was young, I only remember the theme tune and Ross King.
I think the heartfelt reaction to today’s news really underlines the impact that regional presenters have on the people in the areas they serve. It’s clear that many viewers feel a special closeness and affection for those on screen in their area, and see them as ‘one of their own’ - almost like extended members of the family.
The response to Dianne’s death puts me in mind of the tributes we’ve seen in the past to people like Richard Whiteley, Tony Wilson and Mike Neville.
A really nice tribute that can't have been easy for the team at NWT, and I think a lot of credit is due for putting something so fitting and so professional together in the circumstances. (I'll even forgive the Shatliffed archive clips, in view of the occasion).
Going old school and using a separate newsreader at the DTL position was a genius decision, allowing that panel of guests to assemble on the sofas during and keep the pace of the programme going.
Both news programmes were very good with their delivery on what has been a sad day for all involved and viewers.
The 8:15 from Manchester is one of my earliest memories of Saturday morning kids shows, I wasn’t aware she was on it as it is a distant memory and I was young, I only remember the theme tune and Ross King.
I noticed in today's coverage that she met her husband while working on The 8:15 From Manchester, he was a cameraman on it. But his name is Ian Hindle and her co-presenter was Charlotte Hindle, wonder if that's a coincidence or are they related?