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15 years service for Wesley Smith on Central South

(January 2004)

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:-(
A former member
Wesley Smith, the news presenter for central News at Six (South) has tonight celebrated his 15th year presenting the programme. Tonight Hannah Stewart-Jones produced a short report on his highlights whilst at the Abingdon newsroom. We got to see his past co-presenters such as Anne Dawson, who presented with him for 13 years, Geraldine Peers, Claire Holt and Kate Garraway.

Laurie Upshon, Controller of News stated that he was with Wesley on the first day he started in television. They were certain from the start that they had a star on their hands. He was described as the ultimate professional, dedicated and scrupulous to detail.

Having watched Wesley present Central News South for the last 15 years, it is clear that those comments from Laurie Upshon are true. He is truely the best regional presenter, either BBC or ITV. Just a shame he doesn't present national programmes. Maybe we will see him reading the national news one day? Who knows???
SE
Square Eyes Founding member
*COUGHS*

Erm, surely this can't be allowed, a user signing up using a version of my name but just with the space removed. Can a moderator take appropriate action so to avoid confusion.

Everyone knows, I am the only Square Eyes around here, and there is no way I would be a Central News South fan, I have a reputation to uphold you know. Ahem.
KA
Katherine Founding member
Oh my God, not TWO of you!

Thinks about seeking political asylum in a far off land again....
MT
MrTomServo
This user's name has been changed to prevent confusion. Carry on!

http://homepage.mac.com/robertpalmer/tvforum/sig.gif
Last edited by MrTomServo on 10 January 2004 4:47pm
EH
Ed Hammond
Is it me, or does Wesley Smith not seem to have aged a single day in the last 15 years?
RU
russnet Founding member
I hear that he's into tv nostalgia in a big way too.
TV
tvmercia Founding member
well i've always hoped wes would take over on central west when bob warman retires, because when he presented on central west for a week a couple of years ago he was fantastic. but i cant see them offering him anymore than hes currently getting at central south, given itv's diminishing interest in regional news - and i guess wes has settled in over the last 10 years in abingdon.

but anyway, central south has always been a fab show - and the wes 'n' anne combo have made it what it is today. haven't caught more than a few links since lovely anne departed, but im sure its still as good.
NS
NickyS Founding member
russnet posted:
I hear that he's into tv nostalgia in a big way too.

A very big way - he's a huge anorak and it wouldn't surprise me if he reads these pages regularly. I've never met him but a mate of mine says he's a top guy.
AN
Andrew Founding member
Ed Hammond posted:
Is it me, or does Wesley Smith not seem to have aged a single day in the last 15 years?


Well... (Pics from TV ARK Presenters section)

http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/presenters/presenters_s/wesleysmithcns91.jpg
It looks like he used to go to the same opticians as Deirdre Rachid back in 1991
http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/presenters/presenters_s/wesleysmithcns99.jpg
And then in 1999 he's wearing a tie that matches the colourful set they had in those days!
DC
DC
russnet posted:
I hear that he's into tv nostalgia in a big way too.


He has done some really excellent pieces on notable TV anniversaries in the past (eg 10 years of Central South news and 40(?) years of ITV in the Midlands). He even gave viewers advance notice of the disappearence of the Central Cake logo by saying that Monday would see "the disappearence of a familiar friend" (it was the same time that Central South got their new studio (and Wes got his tie to match!)).

Glad to see that his 15 years are being marked and I hope that he gets to stay through whatever changes are ahead for ITV news.
:-(
A former member
The Wesley Smith and Anne Dawson on-screen relationship was truely fantistic whilst it lasted. It needs to be said, however, that Hannah Stewart-Jones had proven to be a fantastic replacement co-presenter. You can tell that the pair work extremely well together and often have a laugh during the programme. Well done to the team in Abingdon.....keep up the hard work!

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