Martyn Lewis (journalist)
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- This article is about the British TV newsreader. There are two other prominent broadcasters with the same name - but spelled differently. For the humorist/writer/producer/TV and radio host - see Martin Lewis. For the British financial journalist - see Martin Lewis (financial journalist). For other persons see Martyn Lewis (disambiguation) or Martin Lewis (disambiguation).
Martyn Lewis CBE (born 7 April 1945) is a British television news presenter and journalist.
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[edit] Early life
Lewis was born in Swansea, West Glamorgan.
[edit] Television news
He was a news presenter on HTV and ITN, before joining the BBC in 1986 to present BBC News bulletins until the major relaunch of all output in 1999.
Lewis became the first presenter of the One O'Clock News on BBC One on 27 October, 1986 when it launched as part of the introduction of the channel's daytime schedule, replacing News After Noon. Subsequently, he presented other bulletins including the Six O'Clock News and Nine O'Clock News.
He created a modicum of controversy in 1993 when he claimed that television should feature more "good news". He subsequently stated that he had been misunderstood on the matter.
It fell to Lewis to announce the death of Princess Diana in the early hours of Sunday 31 August 1997, with the words "This is BBC Television from London. Diana, Princess of Wales has died after a car crash in Paris." His colleague Peter Sissons took over later that day, on BBC News.
[edit] Other television
Lewis was the long-running host, from 1992, of the BBC news-based quiz show Today's the Day.
Lewis appeared on "Have I Got News for You" in 1993.
He retired from newsreading in 1999 and since then has presented occasional programmes on ITV including Dateline Jerusalem & Ultimate Questions.
[edit] Charity work
Lewis aas awarded a CBE in 1997 for his services to young people and the hospice movement. He is president of United Response, a charity providing homes in the community for people with learning disabilities.
He has also concentrated on the youth charity YouthNet UK, which he founded in 1995 and has been the charity's chairman since its inception. The charity operates two websites aimed at young people: TheSite and Do-It.
[edit] Trivia
- 1980's - Lewis was part of ITN's "Famous Five", with Gordon Honeycombe, Anna Ford, Selina Scott and Julia Somerville. As part of the celebrations for ITN's 50th anniversary, he returned to television news to present a special edition of the ITV Evening News with Mary Nightingale in September 2005.