Annie St John

Annie St John (1954 - 1990) was a British television continuity announcer and presenter.

St John joined HTV West in 1981 as an announcer and newsreader. Her popularity in the region was as such that viewers launched a "Save Our Annie" campaign when she left the station in 1983 to join Tyne Tees Television in Newcastle. During her time at Tyne Tees, St John continued to freelanced for HTV West and also for London Weekend Television. [ [http://tvannouncers.thetvroomplus.com/channel-47.html The TV Room Plus - HTV West announcers' profiles] ] She returned to HTV permanently in 1987.

In addition to her announcing duties, St. John presented various regional programmes including a weekly "What's On" programme and the advice series "Problems". By the late eighties, had become one of the main anchors of the nightly regional news programme, "HTV News", alongside Bruce Hockin and Richard Wyatt. She also presented a request show for the independent local radio station Radio West (now known as GWR FM Bristol).

Death

In 1990, St John took a lethal overdose of champagne and drugs at her flat in Baltick Wharf, Bristol. She was found semi-conscious by HTV director of programming Derek Clark following concern from colleagues when St John failed to turn up for work.

Thirty eight days after the overdose, Annie St John died in hospital. She was 36 and had been married to the late Michael St John, an HTV announcing colleague. The inquest into her death recorded a verdict of suicide. [ [http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2111098732_45eeb87eea_b.jpg'Watergate-like stink about TV woman's suicide'] Bristol Evening Post report]

References