Helen Willetts
Helen Sarah Willetts (born 10 February 1972) is a meteorologist on the BBC. She appears regularly on BBC News, BBC World News, BBC Red Button, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 2, as well as BBC One. Willetts is an occasional weather forecaster on the BBC News at Ten and the BBC News channel.
Early life
Born in Chester, England, Willetts went to the Eirias High School in Colwyn Bay, Wales. She obtained a first class honours degree in Physics at the University of Nottingham in 1993.[1][2]
She joined the Met Office in February 1994, where she began a five-month forecaster training course at the Met Office college, at the former RAF Shinfield Park (occupied by the Met Office from 1971–2004).[1]
Broadcasting career
In July 1994 she moved to Cardiff Weather Centre and from 1995 she appeared as a forecaster on BBC Television and Radio in Wales. In 1997 she moved to the BBC Weather Centre in London to work for BBC News.[1]
Awards
In March 2006, she was awarded the Television and Radio Industry Club (TRIC) award for best TV weather presenter.[3]
Personal life
Willetts married fellow BBC weather presenter Philip Avery in October 2006 and became a mother in January 2007.[4] Their second child was born in December 2008.[5]
Helen's main sporting interest is badminton, having played internationally for Wales. She also enjoys walking, cycling and travelling.[1]
She has also been impersonated on the BBC comedy Dead Ringers.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d [1]
- ^ "Graduation 2007". University of Nottingham. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
- ^ "Weather Presenter Award". BBC News. 9 March 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
- ^ [2]
- ^ Khan, Urmee (7 October 2008). "Heavily pregnant BBC weather presenter Helen Willetts soldiers on". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 October 2008.