Peter was born in Romford, Essex. He began in print journalism writing for the Yorkshire Post, Daily Mail and Daily Mirror, with only a break for military service as a commissioned officer in the Royal Horse Guards.
He was a home reporter, BBC News Division (1959 – 1963), before switching to BBC TV News in the same role (1961 – 1962 and 1967 – 1972). He spent a few years at ITN News, as their USA correspondent (1963 – 1967).
He moved permanently behind the desk as a BBC TV newsreader in January 1968. He was the first newsreader to be seen in colour on BBC Two’s Newsroom (5th February 1968).
Peter was famously faded off air whilst reading the opening headlines on BBC Two (14th May 1976). Press reports at the time suggested he may have had a few drinks, but the official line on the incident was that Peter had been suffering side effects from medication for a sinus complaint.
He presented his final BBC TV news programme on 6th September 1981 – but made no reference to the occasion during the programme.
He was the Christmas Day BBC One newsreader in 1978.
Peter appeared along with other BBC news presenters of the time, in the 1977 Christmas edition of The Morecambe and Wise Show in a rendition of the song There Is Nothing Like a Dame (from the musical South Pacific). He delivered the deep-voiced final line with his trademark seriousness.
In 1972, he was briefly a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Today.
In the mid-1980s, Peter appeared as a newsreader in an advertising campaign for KP Cheese Dips. From the mid-1980s up until his death, he narrated Railscene videos – a series of videos about Britain’s railways.
He also narrated a set of five Castle Vision productions about the steam trains of The Big Four British railway companies and British Railways.
In 2011, it was revealed that he was the father of BBC broadcaster Justin Webb.
Peter died aged 64.
Personal information
Clips of Peter on The TV Room
Peter may be featured in video/audio clips on our other websites. Click the links below to display a listing (a 404 error will appear if no clips are found):
Online presence
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Peter Woods. SUPPLIED BY: Paul R. Jackson. COPYRIGHT: BBC.
Leave a Reply