Category: W.Midlands TV
Date: 10.06.2005
Printable version
One of the Midlands' best known and respected reporters
died yesterday.
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John Yates spent 12 years in print
journalism before joining 91Èȱ¬ Radio Leicester as a producer.
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He brought his unique style of reporting to 91Èȱ¬
Midlands Today in 1986, where he stayed until heart
problems forced him to step down in 2004.
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A distinct presence on the programme, John quickly established
himself as the 'And finally.' reporter on the programme, specialising
in those quirky pieces to camera that often bring the show to its finale.
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Noted for wearing a dicky-bow tie, John's wry sense
of humour perfectly suited many of the lighter reports for which he
is probably best remembered.
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He had a rare off-day during a report from a local
winery where, perched on a stool, he sampled the deceptively strong
brew. Sipping from the glass throughout the ten takes it took to complete
the piece, John promptly fell off the stool at the end.
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Chas Watkin, Editor of 91Èȱ¬ Midlands Today, says John
will be sorely missed: "John was one of the best journalists I've worked
with.
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"He was known for the quirky, funny pieces towards
the end of Midlands Today and he did them better than anyone.
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"But he was also an all-round journalist who could turn
his hand to any story, any time.
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"He was also a great person to work with. One of
the many brilliant things about him was that he would always tell me
what he thought was good - and more importantly bad - about the programme.
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"One of the last things he worked on for 91Èȱ¬ Midlands
Today was our search for the Greatest Midlander, which generated a massive
response from the audience - largely thanks to John crafting superb
pieces about various Great Midlanders.
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"There were tears in the newsroom yesterday about his
passing, which proves just how much he was loved - and will be missed
- by colleagues. Many viewers have also been contacting us to say what
a great reporter he was.
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"One email read: 'What a man! I was lucky enough
to speak to him once - a very warm, caring and helpful man'."
