Bob Wellings

Robert Arthur Wellings (1 April 1934 – 1 March 2022) was a British-American television presenter best known for his work on the BBC's current affairs programme Nationwide. Born in Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine, he later became a prominent figure in British television during the 1970s and 1980s. During his tenure, he worked alongside colleagues such as Frank Bough and Sue Lawley. Describing the versatility required of the job, Wellings remarked in the 1991 documentary Let’s Go Nationwide: "As a Nationwide reporter, you had to be able to tackle anything, from interviewing, say, Edward Heath to some extraordinary animal."

In 1973, Wellings co-presented the inaugural season of That's Life! alongside actor George Layton. In 1979, despite his limited knowledge of pop music, he co-hosted the British Rock and Pop Awards with David "Kid" Jensen. The writer Clive James humorously described Wellings as "square as a brick," noting that the only pop song he recognized, Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty, was one of the night's winners. The couple met through Penny's stepfather, Michael Jeans, who worked for Anglia TV. They had three children: daughters Emma and Sophie, and a son, Matthew.