John Hammond (weather forecaster)

John Hammond
Born
John Michael Hammond

(1966-04-09) 9 April 1966 (age 58)
Bosham, West Sussex, England
NationalityEnglish
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham
University of Salford
OccupationMeteorologist
Years active1989–present

John Michael Hammond (born 9 April 1966[1]) is a meteorologist and an English weather forecaster, newsreader and continuity announcer for the BBC. In the past he could be seen presenting weather forecasts on BBC One news bulletins, the BBC News Channel, BBC Red Button and BBC World News. He is currently presenting for the BBC in Birmingham, including the regional news programme Midlands Today. He is a newsreader and continuity announcer for BBC Radio 4.

Early life and education

Hammond was born in Bosham, West Sussex,[2] the son of a farmer. After taking an interest in the weather from the age of four, he studied geography at the University of Salford, followed by meteorology at the University of Birmingham.[3]

Career

After a brief spell at the Met Office headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire, Hammond started forecasting in February 1991, working at regional weather centres in Nottingham, Bristol and Plymouth. This involved a variety of forecasting work for aviation, local industry, and some local radio too.[4] He spent around seven years presenting the weather at ITV until joining the BBC Weather Centre in the spring of 2003.[4]

He also appeared on the BBC quiz show Celebrity Mastermind in 2012.[5]

He left the BBC at the end of March 2017 and now runs Weather Trending with Sara Thornton[6][citation needed]

Hammond is a massive fan of English rock band Status Quo and he went on stage with the band playing with his guitar and went on the Ark Royal to watch the band play live on stage to promote their album Heavy Traffic.[7]

Hammond joined BBC Radio 4 in March 2019 as a continuity announcer, and later also became a newsreader on the station.

References

  1. ^ Profile, findmypast.co.uk; retrieved 1 November 2015.
  2. ^ Staff (17 December 2009). "John Hammond", BBC Weather; retrieved 15 January 2013. "John was born in Bosham, West Sussex on 9 April 1966."
  3. ^ Staff (17 December 2009). "John Hammond", BBC Weather; retrieved 15 January 2013. "John studied for a Geography degree at Salford University, followed by a Masters in Meteorology at Birmingham University."
  4. ^ a b "John Hammond profile". BBC Weather. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  5. ^ Celebrity Mastermind. Episode 8. BBC One.
  6. ^ https://www.facebook.com/sara.thornton.14473 . [user-generated source]
  7. ^ "Status Quo London tonight item 2001". YouTube.