F E AT U R E
Stunning – we met newsreader Pam in
the beautiful five-star Rockliffe Hall Hotel.
>> they needed researchers. They clearly liked what they
saw – when popular weather girl Wincey Willis left for the
fledgling TV-am, they called to ask if Pam was interested in
replacing her. It was a thrilling time to be joining the station.
“Those were the days when Tyne Tees made all kinds of
programmes, including, of course, The Tube,” she recalls.
“There would be artists and rock stars lining the corridors
and the atmosphere was electric. One day I went into the
wardrobe department and saw a beautiful silver jacket on a
mannequin and decided to try it on.
“I was standing in front of the mirror admiring it when I
heard footsteps outside and quickly put it back, just in time
for Paul Young to walk in looking for his jacket! I’d always
liked him but I didn’t know what to say and just muttered
something and dashed out!”
Pam enjoyed her new job but after just 18 months was
devastated to be told her contract wasn’t being renewed
because of cutbacks. With no journalism training, she had
been unable to join the union, making her an easy target for
station bosses. Mike had unwavering confidence in his wife’s
talents, however.
“Unbeknown to me, he sent my showreel to ITN and I
got a phone call saying they were looking for a weather and
12
In the swing – adventurous Pam enjoys ‘Mismatch’,
a new play area feature at Rockliffe Hall.