Jill Dando Biography - The Town's Shining Star
JILL DANDO, 1961-1999.
Even as a youngster at school, Jill Dando had a quality which made her popular with everyone who knew her.
Jill was seven years old when she was taught by Betty Jones at Worle Infants School.
Despite her huge success, the presenter kept in touch with her teacher, even writing her a long letter about her engagement to Dr Alan Farthing before she died.
Betty, who taught at the school for 17 years, said: "Jill was my star pupil.
"Every time I wanted something done, she would volunteer. I was so proud of her."
Jill wrote to Betty after receiving an engagement card and a pair of pillow slips as a present.
Her letter said: "Thank you for such a gorgeous and generous gift - our sleep will be the sweeter for it!
"It has taken 37 years for me to decide to tie the knot, but I know why I have waited so long. Alan is the Mr Right I have been looking for. He is kind, thoughtful, fun, intelligent, loving and handsome - everything a girl could ever want."
Jill spent time at Worle Community School before heading on to Broadoak School where she became head girl.
After her A-Levels, she cut her teeth as a junior reporter on the Weston & Somerset Mercury.
While at the paper, she did voluntary stints as a broadcaster on Weston General Hospital's Sunshine Radio, helping to keep patients entertained.
After the Mercury, her career path took her to Radio Devon where she was able to hone her broadcasting skills learned in Weston before moving on to television work with BBC Spotlight South West.
Nearly 10 years after her journalism career began at the Mercury's Waterloo Street offices, Jill got her big break and moved to London to present BBC's Breakfast Time.
Throughout the early 1990s, Jill became a household name across the country, presenting programmes including Holiday and Crimewatch.
She had just begun a new series titled Antiques Inspectors before her life was cruelly shortened.
Elizabeth Johnstone-Keay, an old family friend, said: "I still miss Jill very much.
"But whatever the outcome it would not have brought her back."