MBE for Central TV news legend Bob
BROADCASTING legend Bob Warman has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The Central News anchorman has been an ever present on Midlands TV screens for 49 years, making him the world’s longest standing TV presenter.
Bob said: “This award is a great honour for me, personally, and has come as something of a surprise.
“I’ve been very fortunate to do the job I have in broadcasting – it’s a real privilege – and any success I can claim is largely due to the considerable skill and support of my colleagues both on and off screen.
“Live television is such a collaborative process and I share the award with my colleagues, certainly in spirit.”
The 75-year-old began his glittering journalistic career with the Walsall Observer, then joined our sister papers the Birmingham Mail and Post.
Bob cut his teeth in broadcasting with Radio Birmingham before starting his career in television at ITV and Central, presenting regional news programmes.
He was also a presenter on Yorkshire
The award is a great honour for me, personally, and has come as something of a surprise.
Bob Warman
Television from 1976 to 1979. In 1977, Bob presented Britain’s first breakfast programme, Good Morning Calendar.
Two years later, he returned to Associated Television to work on ITV News, which became Central News in 1982. In 1989, he hosted Sky’s The Price Is Right.
Bob has also been a charity stalwart.
He is president of the Birmingham
Press Club, the world’s oldest press club, and honorary vice-president of the Journalists Charity. He was a long-standing patron of Acorns Hospices.
Bob was a founding member of the committee which established the Princess Royal Trust for carers in the Midlands and vice-chairman of Birmingham Civic Society.
He has received an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University and the Royal Television Society’s Baird Medal.
Liz Hannam, head of ITV Central news, said: “After almost half a century fronting our flagship programme, it’s fair to say Bob has covered
some of the biggest stories in the UK over the years.
“As well as his long and decorated career as a journalist, he is known in the newsroom as a modest, approachable presenter who is only too happy to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with anyone who asks. I can’t think of any better way to mark his achievements, or a better person to be honoured by the Queen.”