Former BBC and ITN news presenter Peter Sissons has died at 77

Former BBC and ITN news presenter Peter Sissons has died at the age of 77.

A statement from his management said: “We are sad to announce that Peter Sissons, the former presenter on ITN, Channel 4 and the BBC, died peacefully last night in Maidstone Hospital, Kent.

“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.”

BBC News Channel breaking the news:

Peter was the presenter of the BBC Nine O’Clock News and the BBC Ten O’Clock News between 1993 and 2003, and earlier a newscaster for ITN, providing bulletins on ITV and Channel 4.

He was also a presenter of the BBC’s Question Time programme.

Following his retirement in 2009, Sissons published his 2011 autobiography ‘When One Door Closes’ in which he was highly critical of his former employer, the BBC.

Sissons was a Liverpool John Moores University Honorary Fellow. He was a supporter of Liverpool Football Club and was also a member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster.

Great sadness here at ITN at the death of Peter Sissons who worked here from 1964, he was Industrial Editor in the 1970s and then presenter of News at One

— Chris Choi (@Chrisitv) October 2, 2019

Very sorry to hear of the death of former colleague Peter Sissons. A great journalist and a fine presenter at ITN and the BBC. #RIP

— Simon McCoy (@BBCSimonMcCoy) October 2, 2019

“Peter Sissons was one of the great television figures of his time – as an interviewer, presenter and world-class journalist,” said Tony Hall, BBC Director-General.

“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.”

Huw Edwards pays tribute:

Very sad to hear that Peter Sissons has died. An absolute giant of television news over the past decades. Always a joy to speak to on air. Courteous, polite but always incisive. He will be missed.

— Gary O'Donoghue (@BBCBlindGazza) October 2, 2019

BBC News Tribute: