It was announced today, Wednesday 2nd October 2019, that the former BBC and ITN newsreader and Question Time host Peter Sissons passed away aged 77.
Born in Liverpool in 1942, Mr Sissons went to school with The Beatles – John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney. He went to Oxford University, and during the summer holidays he returned to his hometown to work as a bus conductor.
His journalistic career began when he joined ITN in 1964 as a writer, before becoming a reporter in 1967.
Mr Sissons held a variety of positions, as a foreign correspondent for ITN he was wounded by gunfire in Biafra in 1968. He continued to work up the journalistic ladder at ITN, being promoted to news editor and industrial editor before becoming the presenter of ITN’s News at One in 1978.
1982 saw the launch of Channel 4, and Mr Sissons was chosen to be their nightly news anchor. During his time here, Channel 4 News won three consecutive Bafta Awards.
In 1989, he interviewed the Iranian ambassador about the death threat (fatwa) issued to author Salaman Rushdie. Following this interview the fatwa was extended to cover Mr Sisson and his family resulting in them needing 24hr protection.
He joined the BBC later in 1989, taking over from Sir Robin Day as the host of Question Time. He also went on to present the Nine O’Clock News and 10 O’Clock News.
Mr Sissons continued his career with the BBC retiring from broadcasting in 2009.
He returned to Liverpool once again in 2012 to sit on the Hillsborough Independent Panel, which published a report into the 1989 football stadium disaster.
Tributes have been pouring in for the presenter.
Lord Hall said:
“Peter Sissons was one of the greatest 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.”
BBC Breakfast News Presenter, Dan Walker, tweeted:
“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.”
Good Morning Britain Presenter, Piers Morgan said:
“[Sissons was] an excellent journalist and TV newsreader, and splendidly combative and amusing man.”
A statement from Sissons’ management company said he “died peacefully” in Maidstone Hospital in Kent on Tuesday.
The statement also said:
“His wife and three children were with him and wish to pass on their thanks to the hospital staff.”
