Wednesday 27 April 2011

Britain says "Happy Birthday" to an old tv weather forecaster called Michael Fish and remember the 'Great Storm'

Michael Fish, possible the world's longest serving tv weather forecaster is 67 today.

Michael became infamous in the wake of the 'Great Storm of 1987', when a few hours before the storm broke, on 15 October 1987, he said during a forecast:

"Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPQLl5rupg

It was the worst storm to hit South East England since 1703.

Michael is still at work and more than six years after retiring from the BBC national forecast and presents forecasts for BBC South East Today, BBC London and Radio Kent.

From Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2009, to mark the 22nd anniversary of the Great Storm of 1987, he presented the morning weather forecasts on GMTV.

Michael was awarded the MBE in 2004 for 'services to broadcasting'. He also holds Honorary Doctorates of Science from both Exeter and City Universities as well as the 'Freedom of the City of London'.

In 2004 'The Sunday Times' gave him the honour of 'National Treasure'.

His book 'Storm Force : Britain's Wildest Weather' was published in 2007.



The Great Storm, with which Michael shall always be associated and of which he has said that "if he was given a penny for every mention of that forecast", he would "be a millionaire." :

* was responsible for the deaths of at least 18 people in England and 4 in France.

* cost the insurance industry £2,000,000,000.

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