Gareth was born in St Asaph, Wales and is a Welsh speaker. His nickname – ‘Gaz Top’ – was earned whilst working as a roadie for The Alarm (1979 – 1985).
…Turnbull, Hilary
Hilary was born in Sunderland. Her school friend’s father, Bill Lyon-Shaw, was programme controller at Tyne Tees Television and whilst returning to work at the Flora Robson Playhouse in Newcastle, he invited her to appear as a weather presenter.
…Shaw, Roger
Roger Ollerearnshaw was born in Penzance. He did his National Service in the RAF as a physical training instructor and for two years was the RAF’s high-jump champion.
…Jones, Kathy
Kathy was born in Crewe. She is an actress/singer, who is best remembered for her role as Tricia Hopkins in 123 episodes of Coronation Street (ITV, 24th – 26th September 1973; 8th July 1974 – 28th April 1975 and 23rd June 1975 – 9th June 1976).
…Harris, Fred
Fred is a former schoolteacher. He is an actor, who became a popular Play School presenter, making his debut on 16th July 1973 (earning £45 a programme). This began a 15-year association with the programme, which would see Fred appear in 382 editions.
…Frais, Carrie
Carrie was born in Welwyn Garden City. She began her broadcasting career spending a year as a newsreader/producer on Heart FM (from June 1995). She then joined LBC’s News Direct, London’s first 24-hour news station, as a news and showbusiness presenter/reporter/producer (June 1996 – June 1998).
…Fish, Michael
Michael was born in Eastbourne. He was employed by the Met Office for over forty years (1962 – 2004). His first posting was Gatwick Airport and in 1965 he transferred to the Bracknell HQ to work on research projects.
…Bob Warman announces retirement date
Long-standing ITV regional news presenter Bob Warman has announced that he plans to retire in July, after almost half a century on our screens.
…Haycocks, Paddy
Paddy was born in Portsmouth. He worked at BFBS radio (British Forces Broadcasting Service) in Cyprus (1966 – 1968). He performed various roles including tape editing, reporting, presenting and studio management (1966 – 1968).
…O’Keeffe, Meryl
Meryl was born in Nairobi, Kenya and educated in South Africa. In 1950, she began her radio career in the South African Broadcasting Corporation, based in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
…Tomlinson, Peter
Peter was born in Bristol. He began his broadcasting career in 1965, whilst still a student at Oxford University, covering home matches played by Swindon Town FC for the BBC’s Home Service South West. He broadcast live a short report from the linen cupboard of the Goddard Arms Hotel in Swindon!
…Edwards, Adrian
Adrian was born in Windsor. He was an actor/writer with the Cambridge Footlights and a former maths teacher. He was an in-vision Southern Television continuity announcer (1975 – 1980).
…