Behind the characters who have won our hearts on TV, there are usually some fairly amazing stories. There are ups, then downs and having overcome them all, they come out all the stronger for it.
Peston, the flagship ITV political show presented by Robert Peston, returns to our screens tonight. Peston has become something of a celebrity in his own right in recent years, thanks to his outspoken monologues and eccentric displays.
His father was Baron Peston of Mile End, given a peerage in 1987 for his work in economics. Being the son of a life peer means he can carry the title “The Honourable”, but doesn’t use it.
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(Image: David Dyson)
Peston (the younger) had parents who didn’t believe in private schools so he studied at Highgate Wood Secondary School.
He started in journalism when he was 23 and hasn’t looked back since. He has worked for some of the biggest broadcasters and publications in the business, including ITV, The Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and the BBC.
His love life has been a tumultuous one.
In 1998 he married the writer Siân Busby, who he had known since their were teenagers. Their relationship kindled after Peston’s sister Juliet was hospitalised following a car crash.
In the meantime Busby had married, had a child with and then divorced another man, but Peston took over duties as step-father to the boy.
The two had a child of their own – Max – the year before they married.
(Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Sadly, after 14 years of marriage, Busby died in 2012 following a five year battle with lung cancer. She died in Peston’s arms.
Not long after their house was burgled and her jewellery was stolen causing great pain to the already grieving widower.
At the time Peston said: “It’s an incredibly distressing time, especially so soon after losing Sian. It’s not about the monetary value, it’s about the sentimental value. The rings are irreplaceable and they mean a lot to me.”
He later fell in love with a journalist, Evening Standard diary editor Charlotte Edwardes. Falling for another woman after losing his wife made him feel like he was betraying her.
He said: “I did feel desperately guilty.”
The ITV show ‘Peston’ returns to our screens tonight with a new range of political interviews and topics to address.
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