Terribly sad news. Set on the waterfront of Lake Geneva, this monthlong festival burgeons every year thanks to its delightful ambience, variety of music, and free entry to all but a few concerts. There are some very sore hearts in our industry today. Their love for each other was plain for all to see and I have never seen two friends laugh together more than them. and here it is. Switzerland has pioneered one of the most efficient and sustainable transit systems in the worldand rather than buying individual journeys, travelers can access it all using the Swiss Travel Pass. Many memories. Always kind, always considerate and a whirlwind of activity. Be it as Santa for the Daily Mirror kids Christmas party or overseeing a page 1 scoop he was brilliant., An exceptional journalist and editor, Peter Willis was also warm and kind. Ill never forget his smile, charm and great chat. Zoe explained that she and Simon had worked together when she was a host on BBC's Radio 1. Explore cities and towns on foot or by bicycle. NZME journalist Simon Wilson. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Mirror executive editor and founder of the newspapers Pride of Britain Awards Peter Willis died suddenly on Friday, he was 54. WebJ ake Wallis Simons is an award-winning British journalist and novelist. WebSimon Willis is a British journalist, who worked for BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria) from 1983 until 1999 as a reporter and presenter before moving to BBC He agonised over its content and cajoled the great and the good to attend though such was the shows popularity that even A list celebrities would plead for tickets. It was something to behold.. Peter was forever striving for perfection and often achieved it. I continue to use many of his journalism tips and techniques today. Its truly devastating. WebSimon Willis. List of current BBC newsreaders and reporters. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hed even dictate the precise questions he wanted you to ask interviewees which usually guaranteed a fresh new angle and arresting headline. Be it as Santa for the Daily Mirror, kids Christmas party or overseeing a page 1 scoop he was brilliant., was not only a giant of the industry, he was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. Steve and Willy were like Morecambe and Wise except I was never sure which was which. In 2006 he made two documentaries for BBC Radio 4 investigating the complexities of dismantling the Dounraey nuclear facility in northern Scotland. Newsprint in his DNA. Very sad news. He gave me the work experience with @simonmayo that started me in radio. Peter frequently had everyone in stitches with his impression of the future queens awkward conversation with the reporter. Me. His highest profile story was reporting on the Holyrood Inquiry, after which he presented the BBC documentary Holyrood - What Went Wrong? His legacy in creating the Pride of Britain awards will be unmatched. The currency is the Swiss franc, though sometimes euros are accepted. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. During my editorship I relied greatly on that dynamism, that relentless drive and his wisecounsel. You would be hard pushed to find a more generous, witty and creative entertainment guru., Simon Mayo also paid tribute: Simon produced my Radio 1 morning show for many years. Please contact me swillis_1@hotmail.co.uk and follow me @simonwillis11. Peter brimmed with energy, wit and fun. It was thefirst and last time she ever spoke to the press in all heryears as a royal. Sun editor Victoria Newton said: Peter is remembered at The Sun as a brilliant story-getter and a kind, much-loved colleague. This is devastating news. Always passionate about stories, always interested in your opinion, always kind. In pic 1 hes in his flat on Grand Parade with a Radio Times. Simon Willis, Author at Matador Network Feb 4, 2021, 07:30pm EST | Willis, played by Lance Henriksen, who has dementia, find a place to retire. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of The Daily Mirror. Im an interviewer at the Daily Mail now, but, like so many, I wouldnt have my career without Pete. First came the return-to-office policies. War reporter finds peace, recovery Hayley Barlow (@Hayley_Barlow) June 28, 2021, Picture: Arthur Edwards WPA Pool/Getty Images, Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog. Be warned, thoughflash thunderstorms are not uncommon. He writes travel guides and destination articles to fund his addiction to wheat-based snacks and ice pops. He was a fantasticDeputy Editor in my last years in the chair. Also a boss who took the Christmas party so seriously he once gave us time off to go to a fancy dress shop so our costumes would look fab., Amanda Cable said: Peter was one of the best-loved journos in the business. WebSimon Willis is a British journalist, and former BBC TV newsreader and reporter He worked for BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria) from 1983 until 1999 before WebTools. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. We were blessed to have spent many many precious moments with him throughout our lives together and in the recent months and weeks when he was poorly. https://t.co/T4wRbWHQDr, Dan Wootton (@danwootton) June 28, 2021. BBC trained director & shooter. Im in bits. Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now. Articles by Simon Williss Profile | AFAR Journalist | Muck Rack Sun executive showbiz editor Simon Boyle said: In a tough industry he was unwaveringly a good guy I know everyone says that when tragedy strikes, but its true here. Follow his adventures on Instagram at @ecoescape.travel, AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media. I suspect they were both Eric. Unsurprisingly, Peter became known in celebrity and latterly royal circles as the man you couldnt say No to. Willis has worked as a freelance TV cameraman, photographer and media consultant. Thank you for everything, Pete. (LogOut/ before becoming group executive editor and director of the Pride of Britain Awards, which he founded, last year. Our hearts reach out to his wife Nicky and sons Theo and Henry. I can hardly believe it. WebCo-founder Simon Willis, head of content for Wise Buddah, talksabout the proposed new Internet radio station dedicated to musicaltheatre called Stage Door and about the crowd Solo yachtie's miracle survival tale. No visitor restrictions apply for stays of up to three months, after which a visa is required. M x pic.twitter.com/oT0M766By3, Martin Burgess-Moon ?? Showreel & work examples SimonWillis.TV. Simon Willis Once youd engaged with him on any story, idea, campaign or investigation there was no escape. He celebrated his 30th/40th and 50th birthday at our home and we had a ridiculous amount of fun. Profile - Simon Willis And, he would start that day with just as much vigour and determination to make the Mirror brilliant again. A kind and hilarious man who kick started a lot of careers. I know that Peter was a much-loved colleague and achieved so much during his career, in particular as the driving force behind the Pride of Britain Awards that have become a national event. Copyright 2023 New Statesman Media Group Ltd. Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. As Peters former deputy editor I saw, each day, the kindness, compassion and drive that ran through everything Peter did in life. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. In the countryside, its not uncommon to see local farmers selling cheese on the honor system at the end of a drivewaya sign of how fresh and local food is in this country. iHeartRadio's new original podcast, "Haileywood," tells the story of how Willis moved into the small town of Hailey, Idaho, in the '90s, bought and developed property, and then seemingly abandoned the town, as The Independent reported.. On the first episode, Some of them require work to reach the reward, while others are a mere tram ride away. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. This byline is for a different person with the same name. Simon is a freelance travel journalist living in Colombia. Hard to believe hes gone. Friends and former colleagues of Simon Willis have been paying tribute to him following news of his passing. Also a special mention to the Society of American Travel Writers for accepting my membership application. But perhaps the simplest way to be a responsible traveler in Switzerland is to walk, bike, and take public transit. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. All my love to his family. A great idea, but like all great ideas, very simple in its concept: lets celebrate and salute ordinary people for doing extraordinary things. The former BBC Radio 1 Producer, who was also This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Piers Morgan, who worked with Willis on the Bizarre column at The Sun, described him as a brilliant journalist, a loving husband and father, and a loyal, decent, kind and caring friend of mine for 30 years. Centuries-old traditions and modern-day nuances are abundant in Switzerlands architecture, people, cities, villages, nature, and festivals and events. In winter, many mountain passes are closed, so those traveling by car should contact Automobile Club der Schweiz before making a journey or better yet, catch the train. This was the time when we went to a Chinese restaurant & I got confused and I ordered chicken feet. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Great journalist.We had some larks back in the day. Talented, kind, hilariously funny. See more on our Privacy page. A mentor to myself and many others, his death leaves a huge void. Peter coordinated the whole shebang. Ive received a face full of spit during an ancestral healing in Quito and played with wolves in Quebec. Ive explored drug lords ranches for the Washington Post and snapchatted for Matador Network about eating a Swiss cheese sandwich. A big part of the 90s re-shaping at R1.. Simon Willis - definition - Encyclo You could say there were three of us in our marriage. A lovely, kind and decent man who had time for people. He was someone to laugh with and cry with, and all the bits in between. Thoughts following the first anniversary of the loss of BBC radio WebSimon Willis A former BBC radio producer who worked with the likes of Zoe Ball, Jo Whiley, Simon Mayo and the late Terry Wogan, Simon was a larger-than-life character and devote father. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. This byline is mine, but I want my name removed. Fighting for quality news media in the digital age. Bravo! BBC trained video journalist / self-shooting AP & Producer. Simon is a producer (TV & Digital) and film & entertainment journalist. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Its not forgotten.. He truly was the heart and soul of the Mirror office and his loss will be sorely felt by everyone lucky enough to have worked with him.