John Wilson: ‘Angler supreme’ hailed at Norwich Cathedral

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Angling Times

About 400 people were at a memorial service to pay tribute to a British “fishing legend” once voted “the greatest angler of all time”.

Angler John Wilson died aged 75 at his home in Thailand on 13 November 2018.

He had written about 20 books and presented fishing TV shows for more than 20 years. In 2009 he was made an MBE for his services to angling.

A memorial service was held at Norwich Cathedral. Mr Wilson, originally from Enfield, lived in Norfolk until 2013.

His TV career started when he was spotted by production bosses in a Norwich tackle shop.

‘Angler supreme’

Mr Wilson presented 160 episodes of Anglia Television’s Go Fishing from 1986 to 2002.

Many of the anglers he met during that time and TV production crews he worked with were at the cathedral to celebrate Mr Wilson’s life.

Also at the service were many of Mr Wilson’s fans, who learned about the sport from the programme.

Canon Andy Bryant described him as a friend and an inspiration to many people during a 60-year life as a fisherman. He was “an angler supreme”, Canon Bryant added.

Mr Wilson’s daughter Lisa said that to the world he was the fishing legend, an author and TV presenter but more importantly he was a husband, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, father, her dad and “my world”.

Keith Arthur, who worked with him on television programmes, said: “No one could doubt John. He was natural and said what he was thinking with an infectious laugh.

“He was an inspiration for everyone in our sport.”

The Angling Times awarded Mr Wilson the prestigious title “greatest angler of all time” in 2004.