Peter Willis Obituary – Death, Cause Of Death, Funeral: ‘Heart of the Daily Mirror’ and Pride of Britain founder Peter Willis dies’
Friends and other affected persons mourn the death of Pride of Britain and former editor of The Mirror, Peter Willis, 54, who passed away unexpectedly. Peter was born in London to teachers Ruth and Stan Willis and brother to twin sisters, Susan and Jennifer.
He was the consummate journalist – relentless in pursuit of a story and glittering company on a night out. He was also an editor who led by experience, having done it all.
Peter was the founder of the Pride of Britain Awards, an extraordinary annual miracle, where inspirational “ordinary” people are celebrated by royalty, Cabinet ministers and global superstars.
He spent some of his early life in French Guiana, where his parents taught at a mission school.
The family moved to Manchester and then Buxton in Derbyshire, where he attended Buxton College and was a regular on hospital radio at the Devonshire Royal in the town.
InsideEko is yet to confirm Peter Willis’ cause of death as no health issues, accident or other causes of death have been learned to be associated with the passing.
This death has caused a lot of friends and family of Willis so much hurt. It is in that mourning spirit that the concerned persons have taken to social media to share tributes to the deceased and condolences to the affected family.
Tributes To Peter Willis
Below are some of the statements shared across social media users’ timelines on the death of Willis.
The most beautiful tribute here by @roswynnejones ❤️ ‘Heart of the Daily Mirror’ and Pride of Britain founder Peter Willis dies
— Victoria Kennedy (@vixkennedy) June 29, 2021
Peter Willis was a warm, hugely talented and funny guy who had time for everyone at every level. The architect of Pride of Britain. An amazing man gone far too soon.
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) June 29, 2021
RIP Peter Willis.
Daily Mirror legend who created & ran the wonderful Pride of Britain Awards for 20yrs. He was a brilliant journalist, a loving husband & father, and a loyal, decent, kind & caring friend of mine for 30 years.
Heart-breaking news.
Thanks for everything Pete. pic.twitter.com/c6tPmKY6WB— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 28, 2021
Peter Willis was a lovely man, a brilliant journalist and the great architect of The Pride of Britain awards. Gone too soon. I feel lucky to have known you, Peter, and lucky to have worked with you .
— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) June 29, 2021
Genuinely saddened to hear about the passing of Peter Willis, my editor on the Mirror TV mag some 20 years ago now. Always kind, always considerate and a whirlwind of activity. Thoughts with his family and friends.
— Lisa Marks (@lisamarks) June 29, 2021
Shocked to hear of the sad loss of #PeterWillis. He was a great journalist and a warm and caring man. One of the genuine good guys, he got to the top in Fleet Street with talent, hard work and great ideas but it was it his warmth that always shone through.
— AOB PR (@AOB_PR) June 29, 2021
I saw this on the Sun app and thought you’d be interested
Talented former Sun journalist Peter Willis has died suddenly
— Rozina (@Sheeraz037) June 29, 2021
Very sorry to hear Peter Willis has passed away suddenly and condolences to his young family. Without being soulless, did he recently have a vaccination. One is now asking this question everytime something happens suddenly.
— Petrolheadplymouth (@Petrolheadplym1) June 29, 2021
Very sad to hear of the death of Peter Willis who I knew on The Sun many moons ago. A Mirror Editor and founder of the Pride of Britain awards, all the tributes are, rarely, true – he was a lovely guy.
— phil dampier (@phildampier) June 29, 2021
‘Heart of the Daily Mirror’ and Pride of Britain founder Peter Willis dies aged 54 – Mirror Online. Great tribute to Peter from The Mirror. Lovely guy and good journalist
— Charles Rae (@Sunxrae) June 29, 2021
Updated with more of the many tributes being paid to the much-loved Peter Willis: ‘Fleet Street has lost one of its greats’
— Press Gazette (@pressgazette) June 29, 2021
A beautiful tribute to Peter Willis by @realbritainros: ‘Heart of the Daily Mirror’ and Pride of Britain founder Peter Willis dies
— Steve Clark (@steveclarkuk) June 29, 2021
You may use the comment section below to leave a statement on the death of Willis. To inform other online friends and relatives about this passing, you may use any of the social media share buttons below to do that.
More information on the death of Willis will be updated as we receive it. Official obituary publication will be made by the family of the deceased.
This publication does not contain information on Peter Willis’ funeral plans and visitations. You may wait for the family to release a statement on that or reach out to them when it is convenient for them to speak.
Family privacy should be respected at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the passing of Willis.
