A British journalist and
television presenter, very
popular and likable, with a pretty,
girl-next-door image. She hosted the travel programme "
Holiday" and the crime reporting programme "
Crimewatch", among others. Jill Dando was shot dead outside her home on 26 April 1999, in a senseless and motiveless crime that shocked the nation.
She was born in Weston-super-Mare on the west coast in 1961, and joined the Weston and Somerset Mercury in 1980. She transferred to the BBC's Devon radio service in 1985, South-West television in 1986, and breakfast news on national television in 1988. Because of her generous and ordinary personality, it is probably true to say she was the most liked person on British television.
Her sudden murder, by a single bullet to the head, was totally beyond comprehension. A man was eventually apprehended, after a very long search; a fanatic about guns and celebrities, who had changed his name by deed poll to Bulsara (real name of Freddie Mercury): he is currently on trial. (He was later convicted.)