Mike Neville | |
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Born |
Michael Neville 17 October 1936 Willington Quay, Northumberland, England |
Mike Neville, MBE (born 17 October 1936, Willington Quay, North Tyneside) is a retired British television presenter who worked mainly on regional news programmes in North East England. Over 40 years with the BBC and ITV franchisee Tyne Tees Television, he became an iconic figure in the region and is remembered for his solid presentational style and witty banter. In 1990, Neville was awarded the MBE for services to broadcasting.
Neville attended the Addison Potter Infant and Junior School in Willington Quay and then Stephenson Memorial Secondary School in Howdon.
His first job at the age of 15 was at the Northern Guild of Commerce and Chamber of Trade. He was subsequently an editorial assistant at the Daily Mail's Newcastle offices. In 1955, he began two years of National Service in Cyprus where he rose to the rank of Corporal in the Wiltshire Regiment. After a short time as an insurance agent, he joined the repertory company of Newcastle Playhouse full-time.
The North East's independent television station, Tyne Tees Television, was launched in 1959. Neville joined as a young reporter on the fledgling station in 1962.
In 1964, he switched to the rival BBC news programme Look North and fronted the programme for 32 years becoming the longest serving main anchor of any BBC regional news programme. He also regularly presented the BBC's Nationwide programme during the early 1980s, but turned down offers to move to London, preferring to stay in the North East of England.