Famous faces old and new reunited

Jan 16 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

TYNE Tees staff past and present came together in Newcastle last night to celebrate the 50th birthday of the North East channel.

The party, at a suite in St James’s Park, saw former production staff, presenters and editors travel from all over the world to share memories.

They were celebrating on the same day ITV Tyne Tees announced the details of its new-look news programme to be fronted by Pam Royle and Ian Payne.

Two of the people there when Tyne Tees broadcast for the first time were Marjorie Collender, 69, and her 74-year-old husband Doug, of Ponteland.

Together they put in more than 70 years’ service, occupying a number of different roles.

Marjorie said: “I worked there a long time and did various jobs, ending up in production.

“Sadly a few people couldn’t come because of illness but we still have around 295 people here.

“Some of the newer faces are here and people now with the BBC who started with Tyne Tees – people like Jeff Brown and Carol Malia.

“We had people coming from as far away as Australia and we had someone coming from Madrid – an ex director.

“It will be nice to reminisce – that’s what it’s all about. It’s been like a big family at Tyne Tees.

“Everybody keeps in touch and it’s amazing how many people met their partners there – obviously I did.”

Doug, 74, a former lighting director, said: “It’s all about friendship tonight – we made so many friendships.

“I worked on things like Razzmatazz and did a bit on The Tube as well during my time there.

“You had to be very flexible because I would do football and church services, lots of outside broadcasts.

“It was a lovely time and it was lovely to see everyone tonight.”

Tyne Tees’s new programme, part of ITV’s restructuring of regional news, will launch, subject to Ofcom approval, in late February. The two presenters have been hosting the Tees Valley edition of the popular news programme since 2006.

From next month, North East Tonight will cover the whole of the North East region with a single edition broadcast from ITV’s new studios in Gateshead.

Pam and Ian will be joined by Philippa Tomson in the new role of weather and environment presenter after veteran weatherman Bob Johnson retired at the end of last year.

Meanwhile, Border presenter Helen Pearson will be the new face of breakfast bulletins.

Regional director Graeme Thompson said: “This is one of the strongest presenting line-ups anywhere in ITV.

“Pam and Ian are already well-established as news presenters and I know they are looking forward to working with Philippa Tomson and Helen Pearson in their new roles.”