Jane Bolesworth passed away at the beginning of August 2014 after a 9 month fight against cancer. Many people will have known Jane over the years as she worked locally as a print journalist before moving to the BBC and then on to Tyne Tees. 

At the RTS North East & The Border 2011 Programme Awards ceremony, Jane was given a surprise Award for Outstanding Achievement - a special award, given by the RTS NE&TB Centre Committee to mark outstanding achievement in the industry in the region. The citation was read by Centre Chairman, Graeme Thompson:

Our recipient has been working in TV for over 25 years, first in radio, then TV news, then features... and finally back to the newsroom. And throughout this varied (and eclectic?) career, our winner has been famous for always fearlessly supporting causes she feels strongly about, and endlessly fighting on behalf of her teams to make the best quality of programmes W despite shrinking resources and budgets, and within often difficult situations.

Her characteristics are equally famous - razor-sharp intelligence, a fire and passion that means she will always give a straight and honest answer, but with a heart of gold. One colleague commented "There's never, ever a dull moment working with Jane".

Which Jane do we mean? Of course, Jane Bolesworth!

With strong journalistic skills and a creative eye which made its mark throughout her career on numerous people and programmes, Jane inspires and motivates at every level. Unstinting in taking risks, enabling many producers and directors to win accolades and awards... but never stepping into the limelight to claim the credit which she deserves.

Until now! It gives me great pleasure to give an award for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT to Jane Bolesworth, Programme Editor, ITV Tyne Tees & Border.

Jane Bolesworth celebrates her win with Graeme Thompson

Beverley Thompson writes:

There can never be a better boss than Jane - it is just not possible.  Fair, funny, tenacious, kind, competitive and a razor-sharp journalistic mind - but above all Jane backed and supported her people.

It is so hard to write about Jane in the past tense. I was lucky enough to work with Jane in the early 1990's when for some reason she asked me to be a presenter and reporter on the BBC North East regional current affairs programe Close Up North. I spent two very happy years as part of Jane's team in our offices at the Pink Palace.  It was an exciting, high octane - sometimes challenging - place to work, but with Jane at the helm we always got there!

I am so grateful to Jane for all her support, care and inspiration. I look back and realize that she didn't get the professional recognition and accolades she truly deserved in her remarkable career.  She made her life harder by supporting and protecting her team... having said that, I know Jane would not have done it any other way. I am sure there are many others who, like me, would not have had the opportunity to enjoy broadcasting so much had it not been for Jane. She is and always will be the best boss I've ever had... sorry, I just can't think of Jane in the past W she has far too much energy and will always be around.

BEVERLEY THOMPSON

[Other tributes to Jane from friends and colleagues will be welcomed by the Webmaster.]