Levy, Peter

Peter Levy was born in Farnborough, Kent.

Following his training at Mountview Theatre School, he embarked on an acting career as a teenager, with television credits including:

• Dixon of Dock Green;
• Man About the House;
• Comedy Playhouse;
• The Mike Yarwood Show.

In 1973, he performed the lead role in St George and the Dragon in Bristol before Her Majesty The Queen.

His later acting work included appearances in:

• Last of the Summer Wine (BBC One, 2003);
• Still Open All Hours (BBC One, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019);
• Scarborough (2019).

Levy’s broadcasting career began on 20th September 1975 at the newly launched Pennine Radio in Bradford, where he was recruited by former television presenter Austin Mitchell.

He went on to present a daily programme there for many years.

During the 1970s, he also worked at Liverpool’s Radio City, where he was on air on the day when John Lennon was shot (8th December 1980), taking calls from distraught Liverpudlians.

In 1981, he moved to Leeds-based Radio Aire to present the morning show.

His association with the BBC began in January 1987, when he started presenting the lunchtime programme on BBC Radio Leeds.

He subsequently transitioned to television at BBC Leeds, presenting news bulletins within BBC One’s Breakfast Time.

He also presented late news and weekend bulletins, provided continuity announcements for the evening edition of Look North (c. 1988 – 1989), served as newsreader (c. 1989 – September 2002) and occasionally presented the main evening edition (c. 2001).

On 11th November 2002, Levy became one of the launch presenters – alongside Helen Morton – of BBC Look North when the region was divided in two to cover East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Norfolk.

For over five decades, he has remained popular with regional audiences and is currently the joint second longest-serving regional presenter, after David Garmston on Points West.

Beyond his news presenting duties, Levy has hosted various other programmes.

He presented Famous Faces, Favourite Places (BBC Two, 1993) – featuring guests including Fred Trueman, Kathy Staff and John Godber – and The Queen and I (BBC One East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, 16th June 2012).

He presented The Peter Levy Show on BBC Radio Humberside from 2008 to May 2014, returning for Christmas shows on Christmas Eve 2018 and 2019.

He has also reviewed the news on the Andy Comfort show (2022 – 2023) and Richard Stead show (2023 – 2024).

He appeared regularly on the Nationwide segment covering BBC regions on Afternoon Live (BBC News channel), presented by Simon McCoy.

In July 2024, Levy received an honorary doctorate from Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln.

Correspondence

Paul R. Jackson corresponded with Peter in February 2025 about his long career.

What was it like working with the legendary Jack Warner on Dixon?

“I never met Jack Warner, but did meet Peter Byrne (Andy Crawford).

“It was a long time ago.”

Had you always wanted to move away from acting into broadcasting and how did you get to join the newly launched Pennine Radio?

“I only ever wanted to work in radio and it was a dream come true.”

What years did you work at Radio City? Is it true about you being on air when Lennon was shot?

“1979 to 1981.

“I wasn’t on air when he was shot, but I was on later that day.

“Many memories of taking calls from upset Scousers.  Also film crews from around the world in the radio studio.”

Do you have the date of your first appearance on Look North on the breakfast bulletins? Did the format change much regionally when Breakfast Time changed to BBC Breakfast News?

“It had many changes over the years.

“But main change was from a lighter relaxed Breakfast Time to a more serious Breakfast News.”

Did you do continuity for BBC One during the evening, as I know some regions like Manchester did?

“I introduced Look North and also regional programmes like North of Westminster.”

Do you have the date or year your first presented the main Look North evening programme?

“It was 1987 – but not sure of exact date.”

What are your memories of launching Look North for your part of the region?

“It was a very exciting time and a huge big thing for the BBC.

“But luckily it was a success and we have never looked back.”

When did Helen leave and you went solo. This seemed to be long before other regions sadly ditched long-serving presenters?

“Helen left about 2004 to be in London with her husband.

“I then did the show on my own and it stayed that way.”

You seem to be the only BBC TV regional news programme that has the weather mid-programme – and great banter with weather presenter Paul Hudson.

“It’s always been in the middle and we love it there.”

What stories have impacted you most during your career?

“Hillsborough disaster, Bradford fire, flooding, Legacy funeral directors story are just a few.”

Did you enjoy appearing on Afternoon Live for the BBC News channel?

“It was fun working with Simon McCoy.

“I would have enjoyed that carrying on longer.”

 

Personal information

Clips of Peter on The TV Room

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Online presence

Acknowledgements