Wincey Willis, the pioneering weather presenter who became ITV’s first female national weather forecaster, died on 19 December 2024 at age 76 after a long battle with frontotemporal dementia. Her death was not publicly announced until June 2025, sparking widespread tributes to the Gateshead-born broadcaster.
Real Name: Florence Winsome LeightonBorn: 8 August 1948Died: 19 December 2024Age at Death: 76Occupation: TV and radio broadcasterKnown For: ITV’s first female weather presenter
A timely reminder of the barriers she broke: before Willis, no woman had delivered the weather on national ITV. Her career spanned the rise of breakfast television and left a lasting mark on British broadcasting.
| Full Name | Florence Winsome Leighton |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 8 August 1948 |
| Place of Birth | Gateshead, County Durham, England |
| Date of Death | 19 December 2024 |
| Age at Death | 76 |
| Occupation | Television and radio broadcaster |
| Notable Roles | ITV weather presenter, TV‑am weathergirl, Treasure Hunt host |
Early Life
- Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead, 1948 Wikipedia
- Entered broadcasting in the 1980s The Independent
Career Highlights
- ITV’s first female weather presenter The Independent
- Regular on TV‑am The Independent
- Appeared on Channel 4’s Treasure Hunt The Independent
Personal Life
- Married (spouse name not publicly confirmed)
- Children (number not confirmed in available sources)
Health & Death
- Diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia Wikipedia
- Died 19 December 2024 aged 76 The Independent
- Cause of death: complications from dementia Radio Times
What was Wincey Willis’ real name?
When was Wincey Willis born?
She was born Florence Winsome Leighton on 8 August 1948 in Gateshead, County Durham. Wikipedia records her full birth name, though she adopted the stage name Wincey Willis early in her career. Her father, a marine engineer, and mother raised her in the North East. Sunderland Echo later remembered her as a “North East icon.”
Where was Wincey Willis from?
Willis grew up in Gateshead and retained strong ties to the region throughout her life. After her dementia diagnosis, she returned to the North East and lived in Sunderland. The Independent confirmed her relocation following the diagnosis.
Who was Wincey Willis married to?
How many children did Wincey Willis have?
Details about Willis’s marital status and family remain sparse. She was married, but the name of her spouse has not been widely reported in the obituaries that appeared after her death. Similarly, while some sources allude to children, no confirmed number or names are available. Wikipedia does not list a spouse or children, and the Independent obituary keeps the focus on her career. This lack of personal detail is common for public figures whose professional lives dominated their coverage.
When was Wincey Willis diagnosed with dementia?
What was Wincey Willis’ cause of death?
Did Wincey Willis live in a care home?
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of the disease that affects personality and language. The Independent reported that the diagnosis came prior to her death, though the exact date is not publicly known. Multiple obituaries, including one from The Telegraph, confirm she had been living with dementia. Her cause of death was complications from dementia, as stated by Radio Times. Whether she resided in a care home is not recorded in any major source—the uncertainty is noted.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Wincey’s passing. She battled dementia with grace and dignity for many years.”
“Willis was a trailblazer who broke barriers as ITV’s first female weather presenter.”
When did Wincey Willis die?
When was Wincey Willis’ funeral?
Willis died on 19 December 2024, according to Wikipedia and Radio Times. However, a discrepancy exists: The Sun reported 18 December. The earlier date is less cited. The public announcement of her death was delayed until 18 June 2025, a gap of six months. Radio Times noted the unusual delay. Her funeral details have not been disclosed, adding to the private nature of her later years.
Is Wincey Willis still alive?
No. Wincey Willis passed away on 19 December 2024 at the age of 76. She is remembered as ITV’s first female weather presenter and a popular television personality who brightened the screens of the 1980s and 1990s. Her legacy includes helping rescue TV‑am’s Good Morning Britain from low ratings, as noted by The Independent, and her colorful jumpers and mullet hairstyle became trademarks. GB News described her as a “weather icon.”
Timeline of Wincey Willis’s life
- 8 August 1948 – Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead Wikipedia
- c. 1980s – Began broadcasting career, later joined TV‑am as weather presenter The Independent
- 1983–1992 – Appeared on TV‑am’s Good Morning Britain The Independent
- Unknown – Diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (publicly reported in 2025) The Independent
- 19 December 2024 – Died at age 76 following a battle with dementia Wikipedia
uk.news.yahoo.com, hellomagazine.com, ibtimes.co.uk, 80sheaven.com, dailymail.co.uk, easterneye.biz
Frequently Asked Questions
What TV shows did Wincey Willis appear on?
She was a weather presenter on TV‑am’s Good Morning Britain, appeared on ITV national weather, and hosted the Channel 4 game show Treasure Hunt. The Independent confirms these roles.
How did Wincey Willis become a weather presenter?
She joined TV‑am in 1983, when breakfast television was still new. Her energetic style and distinctive look quickly made her a viewer favorite. The Independent covers her hiring.
What was Wincey Willis’ role at TV‑am?
She was the station’s primary weather presenter, delivering forecasts on Good Morning Britain from 1983 until the franchise ended in 1992. The Independent notes her as a key personality who helped revive the show.
How old was Wincey Willis when she died?
She was 76 years old. Her birth date was 8 August 1948 and death date 19 December 2024, as recorded by Wikipedia.
Did Wincey Willis have any siblings?
No verifiable information about siblings exists in the available research notes or obituaries.
What is Wincey Willis’ legacy?
She is remembered as ITV’s first female national weather presenter, a trailblazer for women in broadcasting, and a beloved figure from the golden age of breakfast television. The Independent called her “a sparky 1980s weather girl.”
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.