Ian McCaskill, the BBC weatherman who will be remembered for his Tiggerish, infectious enthusiasm as he urged viewers to wrap up well as it was going to be a proper, bitterly cold night, has died aged 78.
McCaskill died on Saturday morning, five years after he was diagnosed with dementia.
His daughter Kirsty said they were remembering McCaskill the husband, father and grandfather. “He showed his family lots of unconditional love and made people happy. He was a genuine guy and we’ll remember him for his sharp, Glaswegian wit and his intelligence.
“He was never malicious, never spoke badly of anyone. He led a really good, full life and was always there for his family.”
McCaskill started at the Met Office in 1961 after becoming a meteorologist during his national service in the Royal Air Force. In 1978, in his mid-30s, he began presenting the BBC TV weather forecasts and soon became a household name.
His distinctive, cheery Glaswegian delivery made him the most mimicked weatherman in the UK, becoming part of the repertoire of virtually every impersonator, whether professional or amateur. Everyone could do a Frank Spencer, a David Bellamy or an Ian McCaskill to varying degrees of accuracy.
In particular he became a regular puppet on Spitting Image, with the character always giving a breathy, cheery “helloooo” while wearing enormous, wobbly spectacles.
Behind his light hearted demeanour was an intelligent, scientifically rigorous meteorologist.
Kirsty McCaskill recalled her father regularly being stopped in the street and he never seemed to mind. “He was a down-to-earth, friendly guy and people could see that. There were no airs and graces … he was a proper, decent guy.”
After retirement in 1998 he spent his time doing charity work, travelling, after-dinner speaking and “babysitting grandchildren”, said his daughter .
McCaskill was part of what seemed like a golden age of weather forecasters. McCaskill, Michael Fish, Bill Giles and John Kettley were as well known as the newsreaders and were as trusted as doctors.
Although it is fair to say that trust took a knock in October 1987 when Fish memorably told viewers: “Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way … well, if you’re watching, don’t worry, there isn’t.” Within hours the worst storm to hit southern England in 300 years struck, wreaking havoc in its wake. Many years later McCaskill admitted he had given Fish the forecast that day.
After the weather, McCaskill occasionally popped up on TV in programmes such as Celebrity Masterchef and Celebrity Fit Club.
He is survived by his second wife, two daughters, three stepsons and nine grandchildren.
