The first woman to read the news on BBC Television

Born: November 6, 1925;

Died: May 11, 2019

NAN Winton, who has died aged 93, made television history on 20th June 1960 when she became the first female newsreader on BBC television.

She was given the post of reading the all-important 6 O’Clock bulletin and the weekend news. Barbara Mandell had been reading the news on ITN since 1955 so the appointment was a major reappraisal by the BBC. Winton, in fact, was a well-known face on television and had worked as a continuity announcer and as a journalist with both Panorama and Town and Around, a nightly magazine programme.

When reading the news Winton reflected the smart style of the era: formal appearance – smart gown, row of pearls and delicately coiffed hair. And very correct pronunciation. She was very well received by many viewers but it proved controversial. The BBC explained it was an ‘experimental’ appointment and a BBC manager, Stuart Hood admitted, “A woman newsreader was greeted with alarm and dismay by the editors in Broadcasting House.”

Many viewers also objected to a woman reading the late night news - they considered unacceptable and wrote in complaining that “women are too frivolous to be bearers of grave news.”

In 1961 her contract with the news department was cancelled. BBC chief executive Michael Peacock called Winton into his office to sack her. “He didn’t say why… and I was furious,” she said.

Winton continued to work with the corporation often joining the panel on Treble Chance, a popular general knowledge game that included the cricket commentator Brian Johnston as a fellow panellist.

Winton made her feelings regarding the ending of her contract with the BBC well known. In 1964 she roundly criticised the corporation, saying that she had faced prejudice and discrimination in the industry. She spoke of severe problems with BBC editorial staff and not with the public or press. "There were times when I was doing the announcing when I wanted to shout aloud like Shylock, ‘Hath not woman eyes, ears, senses?’”

Nancy Winton, whose family name was Wigginton, was born in Portsmouth. As a journalist she had established a good reputation and had carried out many high-profile interviews for both radio and television – notably with Barbara Castle, the Minister for Overseas Development – before being hailed as a trailblazer and the first BBC newsreader. Winton admitted some years later that, “I didn’t realise at the time what a revolutionary thing it was.”

The appointment as a newsreader was short-lived – she only presented six bulletins – and Winton established a new career within the media working on ITV very successfully as an interviewer and news reporter. She retired to Bridport in Devon in 1990.

There would not be a regular female newsreader on the BBC until Angela Rippon presented the flagship Nine O’clock News in 1975.

Winton’s marriage to the actor Charles Stapley, who appeared as Ted Hope in Crossroads, was dissolved in 1962. She is survived by their son and daughter.

ALASDAIR STEVEN