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Peter Sissons death: Tributes pour in for former BBC and ITN newsreader after he dies at 77



Broadcasters have paid tribute to former BBC and ITN newsreader Peter Sissons after he died at the age of 77.

Sissons died “peacefully” last night in Maidstone Hospital, Kent, a statement released by his management agency confirmed.

He was surrounded by his wife and three children, who thanked “the hospital staff who were so caring and fought gallantly to save him to the end.”

In a statement, BBC Director-General Tony Hall described Sissons as “one of the greatest television figures of his time – as an interviewer, presenter and world-class journalist.”

Tributes: Figures from broadcasting shared their memories of Sissons (PA)

He added: “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.”

BBC News presenter Simon McCoy said he was “very sorry to hear of the death of [his] former colleague,” describing him as “a great journalist and a fine presenter at ITN and the BBC.”

In a social media tribute, Good Morning Britain’s Piers Morgan said Sissons was “an excellent journalist & TV newsreader, and splendidly combative & amusing man.”

BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker wrote: “Having grown up watching and admiring Peter Sissons it was such a privilege to end up working alongside him at News 24. I don’t think he ever got my name right when he threw to me but I loved sharing a studio with him and learned so much. My thoughts are with his family.”

Susanna Reid said that she was “very, very sad” to hear news of Sissons’ death, describing him as “a highly respected broadcaster whose voice exuded authority.”

Radio City presenter Mick Coyle shared an anecdote from the presenter’s early years as a ticket collector in Liverpool, writing on Twitter: “Sad to hear Peter Sissons has died. He came into the studios when he was publishing his autobiography.

“Before he was a journo he was a ticket collector on Liverpool buses. People would ask ‘Does this bus stop at the Pierhead?’

“He’d reply ‘Well if it doesn’t we’ll all get wet.’”

Born in Liverpool, Sissons attended the Liverpool Institute for Boys with Beatles members Paul McCartney and George Harrison and theatre producer Bill Kenwright.

The journalist joined ITN in 1969 before later moving to the BBC in 1989 as the presenter of Question Time and joint presenter of the Six O’Clock News.

He moved to the Nine O’Clock News in 1994 and remained with the programme when it moved to 10pm, eventually leaving the programme in 2003.

He announced his retirement in 2009 to write his memoirs, which were published in 2011.

He also served as a member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel inquiry.



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