Former TV-am main presenter Nick Owen has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for 2024.
Nick, who now presents BBC Midlands Today, receives his MBE for services to broadcasting and charity over 50 years.
Nick was part of TV-am’s sports team when the station launched in February 1983 but was asked to replace Sir David Frost as main presenter of Good Morning Britain in April 1983 to help boost poor ratings.
His on-screen partnership with Anne Diamond made him a household name and they quickly started to overtake BBC Breakfast Time in the battle for early morning viewers. In 1985 Nick carried out an exclusive interview with Princess Michael of Kent after revelations about her father’s involvement with the Nazis. He also made an appearance on some blooper reels after Pamela Stephenson tried to pull his trousers off live on air.
Nick Owen left TV-am in August 1986 to join ITV Sport and later went on to host programmes such as Sporting Triangles, Midweek Sport Special, Olympics 88 and Good Morning with Anne and Nick. He also made appearances as guest presenter on The Time The Place, This Morning and Tyne Tees TV’s North East Tonight.
Nick has supported many charities but has recently been involved with Prostate Cancer UK after surviving an aggressive form of the disease.
He remains a popular face on TV in the Midlands where he has hosted BBC Midlands Today for 27 years.
Congratulations Nick!
Nick Owen with TV-am presenters Anne Diamond and Wincey Willis