Peter Sissons

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Peter George Sissons (born July 17, 1942 in Liverpool) is a television newsreader in the United Kingdom. He is known for deadpan humour, colourful and slightly bizarre inferences/suggestions in response to news events, and deceptively curmudgeonly countenance.

Originally from Liverpool, he went to Dovedale Road Junior School with John Lennon and Jimmy Tarbuck and after the 11+ to the Liverpool Institute for Boys from 1953 to 1961 with Bill Kenwright, George Harrison and Paul McCartney. He later studied at University College, Oxford where he was Treasurer of the University College Players.

After many years as a journalist, his first stint as a newsreader came in 1976 when he began anchoring ITN's News At One bulletins alternately with Leonard Parkin until the first incarnation of the series was dropped by ITV in 1987 after Leonard Parkin decided to retire from ITN; Sissons subsequently headed for the BBC.

In June 1989, Peter Sissons took over from Sir Robin Day as the presenter of Question Time. He continued until December 1993, when he was followed by David Dimbleby.

He also co-presented BBC's 1992 General Election Night coverage with David Dimbleby and Peter Snow. Previously he had been a co-presenter on ITN's election night programmes in 1983 (with Sir Alastair Burnet and Martyn Lewis) and in 1987 (with Burnet and Alastair Stewart).

He has worked for ITN, Channel 4 News and BBC News, where he hosted the BBC Nine O'Clock News and the Ten O'Clock News. He retired from this position in January 2003. Sissons reportedly accused the BBC of ageism in response to its decision to move him from the prime slot. ^[1].

He now presents weekend afternoons on BBC News, the corporation's 24 hour rolling news channel. Sissons also presents News 24 Sunday, the replacement for Andrew Marr's BBC One programme The Andrew Marr Show when it is off air during the Summer. He also occasionally presents weekend bulletins on BBC One.

His daughter is the actress Kate Sissons.

[edit] Queen Mother's death controversy

Peter Sissons was criticized when he announced The Queen Mother's death while wearing a burgundy tie as opposed to a black one, deemed more appropriate for such news. ^[2]. Sissons has since publicly defended his actions ^[3].

[edit] References

1. ^ Andrew Clennell. "Peter Sissons is moved from BBC's 10 o'clock slot", The Independent, 2002-09-01. Retrieved on 2006-12-09. (English) 
2. ^ "Sissons hits back at critics", BBC, 2002-04-03. Retrieved on 2006-12-09. (English) 
3. ^ David Sapsted and Matt Born. "Sissons defends corporation's coverage and lack of a black tie", Telegraph, 2002-04-03. Retrieved on 2006-12-09. (English) 

Preceded by Sir Robin Day

Regular Host of Question Time 1989-1993

Succeeded by David Dimbleby