Wincey Willis, the broadcaster who broke new ground as ITV’s first female national weather presenter, died on 19 December 2024 at the age of 76. Her death, following a long battle with frontotemporal dementia, was made public in June 2025. She remains a celebrated figure in British television history, known for her colourful knitwear, cheerful on-air style, and pioneering role in a male-dominated field.
When and How Did Wincey Willis Die?
Florence Winsome Leighton
8 August 1948 – 19 December 2024
First woman to forecast national weather on ITV
Frontotemporal dementia
- Wincey Willis was a trailblazing female weather presenter who faced a long battle with dementia.
- Despite her national fame, relatively little is publicly known about her marriage and children.
- Her death was announced in June 2025, though she died in December 2024, indicating a delayed public notification.
- She spent her final years in a care home, highlighting the reality of dementia progression.
- Her birth name, Florence Winsome Leighton, reflects a unique personal history from Gateshead.
- She was widely admired for her distinctive knitwear and warm presenting style.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Florence Winsome Leighton (known as Wincey Willis) |
| Born | 8 August 1948, Gateshead, County Durham, England |
| Died | 19 December 2024 (aged 76) |
| Cause of Death | Frontotemporal dementia (long battle) |
| Occupation | Television and radio broadcaster, weather presenter |
| Known For | First woman to forecast national weather on ITV; TV-am broadcaster |
| Spouse | Married Malcolm Willis in 1972; later divorced |
| Children | Yes (details not publicly confirmed) |
| Final Residence | Care home in the North East of England |
Was Wincey Willis Still Alive in 2025?
No. All credible sources confirm that Wincey Willis died on 19 December 2024. The question of her being alive in 2025 arose only because the news of her death was not widely reported until June 2025, roughly six months after the event. This delay has led to some confusion online, but the facts are clear: she died in 2024.
Multiple sources, including The Independent and TV-am’s memorial page, agree she passed away in December 2024. The news was made public in June 2025, which explains the period of uncertainty. This pattern is not uncommon when families or estates choose a later date for a public announcement.
Who Was Wincey Willis’s Husband? Did She Have Children?
Marriage to Malcolm Willis
Wincey Willis married Malcolm Willis, a bed salesman, in 1972. The couple later divorced, but she continued to use his surname professionally. This detail is confirmed by biographical reports from Wikipedia and The Independent.
Children
Reports indicate that Wincey Willis had children, but their names, number, and personal details have not been publicly confirmed. This lack of information suggests a deliberate effort by the family to maintain privacy. No major outlet has published specifics about her children, and the information remains absent from publicly available biographical records.
What Was Wincey Willis Known For?
A Pioneering Career in Broadcasting
Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead on 8 August 1948, Willis was adopted as a baby and raised in Hartlepool. She studied French at Hartlepool High School for Girls and later attended Strasbourg University. Her broadcasting career began at Radio Tees in 1975, where she started as a Saturday morning co-presenter. In 1983, she joined TV-am as the weather presenter for Good Morning Britain, becoming the first woman to present the national weather forecast on ITV.
Beyond the Weather
Willis’s television presence extended beyond weather bulletins. She appeared on shows like Treasure Hunt and Cross Wits, and hosted Wincey’s Pets, a programme that reflected her well-known love for animals. She lived for a time in a former railway station near Barnard Castle, surrounded by many pets. She also took part in pantomimes and other media projects, cementing her status as a versatile entertainer.
Public Image and Legacy
Willis was widely remembered for her colourful knitwear and cheerful style, which made her a popular and recognisable figure in 1980s television. Obituaries published by Radio Times and TV-am describe her as a pioneering figure and one of the most recognisable weather presenters of the decade.
Wincey Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2015. After her diagnosis, she returned to the North East of England and lived in Sunderland before moving to a care home, where she died peacefully. Her battle with the condition highlights the broader challenges of neurodegenerative diseases among public figures.
Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Wincey Willis
- 1948 — Born in Gateshead as Florence Winsome Leighton.
- 1975 — Began her career at Radio Tees.
- 1983–1986 — Joined TV-am as ITV weather presenter; became the first woman to forecast national weather on the network.
- Late 1980s–1990s — Continued TV and radio work, including appearances on Treasure Hunt and Wincey’s Pets.
- 2015 — Diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
- 19 December 2024 — Died at age 76 in a care home in the North East.
- June 2025 — Death publicized via obituaries and fan tributes.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Wincey Willis’s Death?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of death: 19 December 2024 | Exact date of dementia diagnosis (reported as 2015, but not confirmed by medical records) |
| Cause of death: frontotemporal dementia | Care home name and precise location |
| Death confirmed by multiple credible sources | Reason for the six-month delay in announcing the death |
| Married to Malcolm Willis (1972); later divorced | Names and number of her children |
Why Does Wincey Willis Matter? The Context of Her Career
Wincey Willis broke gender barriers as the first woman to deliver the national weather forecast on ITV in the 1980s. This was a significant milestone in UK broadcasting history, at a time when weather presenting was largely a male profession. Her career coincided with the rise of personality-driven weather presenters on British television, helping to elevate the role from a simple bulletin to a charismatic and engaging segment. The delayed public announcement of her death, while unusual, may reflect family privacy wishes or media cycles. Her dementia battle also highlights broader issues of neurological health among aging public figures and the importance of care home support. The limited information about her husband and children contrasts sharply with her public persona, suggesting a deliberate choice for privacy.
What Are the Sources and Tributes to Wincey Willis?
“Wincey Willis, the trailblazing weather presenter who became the first woman to forecast the national weather on ITV, has died at the age of 76 after a long battle with dementia.”
— Prolific North (June 2025)
“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.”
— TV-am.org.uk (June 2025)
“Wincey Willis (born Florence Winsome Leighton; 8 August 1948 – 19 December 2024) was a British television and radio broadcaster.”
— Wikipedia
Summary: What Is the Legacy of Wincey Willis?
Wincey Willis remains a landmark figure in British broadcasting. As the first woman to present the national weather on ITV, she opened doors for future female presenters. She will be remembered for her pioneering spirit, her colourful knitwear, and her warm on-screen presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Wincey Willis born?
She was born in Gateshead, County Durham, England, on 8 August 1948.
Did Wincey Willis have children?
Reports indicate she had children, but their names and specific details have not been confirmed publicly.
Where did Wincey Willis live in her final years?
She lived in a care home in the North East of England after her dementia diagnosis.
What was Wincey Willis’s real name?
Her birth name was Florence Winsome Leighton.
Is the name ‘Wincey’ a nickname?
Yes, ‘Wincey’ is a shortened form of her middle name, Winsome.
What was Wincey Willis’s cause of death?
She died following a long battle with frontotemporal dementia.
How old was Wincey Willis when she died?
She was 76 years old.
What was Wincey Willis’s most famous job?
She is best known as the first woman to present the national weather forecast on ITV.
Who was Wincey Willis married to?
She was married to Malcolm Willis from 1972 until their divorce.
Sophie Marlowe is Culture & Lifestyle Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, covering culture, entertainment, lifestyle, events, media trends and consumer features.