Peter Willis (journalist)

Peter Willis (25 December 1966 – 25 June 2021) was a British journalist and newspaper editor.

Born in London, Willis grew up in French Guiana, Manchester and then Buxton. There, he was educated at Buxton College, and presented a hospital radio show at the Devonshire Royal Hospital. At the age of 18, he began working for the Manchester Evening News.[1][2][3]

Willis later worked for The Sun, the Daily Star and the Daily Express, becoming known for his celebrity reporting. In 1997, he moved to the Daily Mirror, as the first editor of its Saturday magazine, The Look. He then served for many years as features editor of the newspaper, and founded the Pride of Britain Awards.[1][2]

In 2012, Willis was appointed editor of the Mirror, serving until 2018, when he moved to become editor of the Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People. He died suddenly on 25 June 2021, at the age of 54.[1][2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Wynne Jones, Ros (28 June 2021). "'Heart of the Daily Mirror' and Pride of Britain founder Peter Willis dies aged 54". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Tobitt, Charlotte (28 June 2021). "Pride of Britain founder and Mirror man of 23 years Peter Willis dies suddenly aged 54". Press Gazette. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  3. ^ Waterson, Jim; O'Caroll, Lisa (29 June 2021). "Peter Willis, Pride of Britain founder and ex-Mirror editor, dies at 54". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
Media offices
Preceded by Editor of the Daily Mirror
2012–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Editor of the Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People
2018–2020
Succeeded by
Paul Henderson