Peter passed away last night
Former BBC, ITN and C4 newsreader Peter Sissons has died aged 77.
The former Question Time host “died peacefully last night” in Maidstone Hospital in Kent, a statement from his management company said.
The statement continued: “His wife and three children were with him and wish to pass on their thanks to the hospital staff who were so caring and fought gallantly to save him to the end.”
Peter was a much-loved newsreader, who became a member of the ITN team first as a writer in 1964 after studying at Oxford University. He went on to front the ITN’s News At One, before joining the BBC.
At the BBC, Peter helped anchor the Nine O’Clock and Six O’Clock News, as well as presenting Question Time. Among the many stories he announced on the BBC was the news in 2002 that the Queen Mother had died. Peter faced some criticism for breaking the news of the Queen Mother's death while wearing a burgundy tie, rather than a black one, which some felt would have been more appropriate.
BBC Director-General, Tony Hall, paid tribute to Peter, saying: “Peter Sissons was one of the great television figures of his time - as an interviewer, presenter and world-class journalist. During his distinguished career he was one of the most recognisable and well-respected faces of television news.
"He was always a great person to be with and to work with. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues and our thoughts are with his family.”
During his long career Peter also read the news for C4 and during his time there the programme scooped seven consecutive BAFTA awards.
Peter, who was born in Liverpool, retired from broadcasting in 2009. In 2011 he published his autobiography, When One Door Closes, about his career.
Main picture of Peter Sissons: Alamy Stock Photo.
