Wincey Willis – Cause of Death, Husband, and Career

Wincey Willis, the pioneering British broadcaster who became ITV’s first female national weather presenter, died on 19 December 2024 at the age of 76. The news of her death was not made public until June 2025, prompting renewed interest in her life and career. She had been living with fronto-temporal dementia, a diagnosis she received in 2015.

Willis was a familiar presence on British morning television throughout the 1980s, known for her cheerful manner and colourful knitwear. She appeared on TV-am’s Good Morning Britain from 1983 to 1992, breaking new ground for women in weather broadcasting. She also served as an adjudicator on the popular Channel 4 game show Treasure Hunt.

After stepping back from full-time television, she pursued wildlife conservation and radio work. Her later years were spent quietly in the North East of England, where she had grown up. Her full story, including the circumstances of her death and personal life, has only recently come into focus.

Wincey Willis Cause of Death

Wincey Willis Husband and Children

Wincey Willis married Malcolm Willis, a bed salesman, in 1972. The couple later divorced, but she continued to use his surname professionally. Available sources do not explicitly mention whether she had children. Her private approach to personal matters meant that little about her family life entered the public domain.

Wincey Willis Born and Early Life

She was born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead on 8 August 1948 to a single mother. Her early life in the North East shaped her down-to-earth persona, which later made her a favourite with viewers.

Before Broadcasting

Before entering television, Willis worked as a travel representative in North Africa. She then joined DJM Records and later Radio Tees, where she made her first on-air appearance on a Les Ross Saturday show. She joined Tyne Tees Television in September 1981, initially presenting the weather despite having no specialist training in meteorology.

Rise to National Prominence

Scouted by ITV’s Clive Jones, Willis replaced Commander David Philpott as the main weekday weather presenter on TV-am in 1983. This made her ITV’s first national female weather forecaster. She became known for her bright, approachable style and her distinctive wardrobe of colourful knitwear.

Wincey Willis Care Home and Final Years

Following her diagnosis with fronto-temporal dementia in 2015, Willis returned to the North East. She lived in Sunderland and spent her final years in a care home, where she died peacefully on 19 December 2024. Specific details about the care home, including its name and exact location, have not been publicly disclosed.

Wincey Willis Funeral and Tributes

Details of Wincey Willis’s funeral arrangements, including the date, location, and attendees, have not been publicly reported. Following the announcement of her death in June 2025, tributes were paid by former colleagues and fans. TV-am published a tribute article, and social media posts from nostalgia pages and fan groups remembered her warmth and pioneering role in broadcasting.

Her death was confirmed by multiple sources weeks after it occurred, leading to an outpouring of affection from those who grew up watching her on morning television. Many described her as a trailblazer who brought a human touch to the weather forecast.

Wincey Willis Timeline

1. 8 August 1948: Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead.
2. 1970s–1980s: Worked in local radio, including Metro Radio and BBC Radio Newcastle.
3. 1983: Joined TV-am as a weather presenter, becoming the first female national weather presenter on ITV.
4. 1985: Served as an adjudicator on five seasons of Channel 4’s Treasure Hunt.
5. 1986: Published her first book, It’s Raining Cats and Dogs.
6. 1987: Left full-time television to become a wildlife conservationist.
7. 1990: Published her second book, Greendays.
8. 1993: Returned to TV as a wildlife presenter for Tyne Tees Weekend.
9. 2000s: Hosted radio shows on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and BBC Hereford & Worcester.
10. 2015: Diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia.
11. 19 December 2024: Died at age 76 in a care home in Sunderland.
12. 18 June 2025: News of her death was publicly announced.

What is Known and What Remains Unclear

Why Wincey Willis Matters

Wincey Willis was a trailblazer for women in British broadcasting. At a time when weather presenting was almost exclusively male, she brought a fresh, relatable energy to the screen. Her shift from television to wildlife conservation demonstrated a commitment to causes beyond entertainment. She wrote two books, It’s Raining Cats and Dogs (1986) and Greendays (1990), reflecting her dual interests in weather and nature. For readers interested in other British TV figures affected by dementia, the article on Pauline Quirke – Dementia, Career, Net Worth and Family provides additional context. Her career also overlapped with the ITV era that produced presenters like Chris Tarrant – Net Worth, Children, Ex-Wife, and Retirement Explained.

Sources and Quotes

“Wincey Willis (born Florence Winsome Leighton; 8 August 1948 – 19 December 2024) was a British television and radio broadcaster.”

— Wikipedia

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Wincey Willis, who died on 19 December 2024 at the age of 76, following a long battle with illness.”

— TV-am news article

“Wincey Willis, known for making history as ITV’s first female national weather presenter, has sadly passed away at the age of 76.”

— Facebook post by BRMB Birmingham

Wrapping Up: The Life of Wincey Willis

Wincey Willis leaves behind a legacy as a beloved figure of 1980s British television and a pioneer for women in weather broadcasting. Her career, from local radio to national fame, is a story of talent, resilience, and warmth. While many details of her private life remain private, her public impact is clear and lasting. Her story also connects to other notable British television figures whose lives were touched by dementia, such as Pauline Quirke – Dementia, Career, Net Worth and Family.

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