OTD 1959: ATV Newsreader Pat Cox marries

An ATV Midland News report on the wedding of newsreader Patricia Cox and Alpha Television floor manager John De Coverley at St Mary and St Ambrose Church on the Pershore Road at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Wedding guests seen arriving at St Mary and St Ambrose Church on the Pershore Road at Edgbaston include Reg Watson, Noele Gordon, Pat Astley and Jenny Martin.

Related Article: ATV Icon – Patricia Cox

Founding ATV Newscaster ‘Pat Cox’ was the first in-vision regional newsreader in the UK, however, those early days of Independent Television wasn’t the lucrative business it was to become later in the ’50s thus Patricia Cox was shop worker and model by day, and newsreader by night.

With every intention of being an actress, Patricia first studied at Wolverhampton Art School where she spent 18 months with an elocutionist. Later she joined the Birmingham Theatre School where, under the teachings of Mary Richards, she appeared in several plays. This led to work at the BBC in drama and announcing, although she had never presented news until her arrival at ATV.

Patricia died on the 28th March 2007 aged 77. She had for many years suffered ill health, notably Multiple Sclerosis. At her death, she left behind her husband John, daughter Joanna, (mother-in-law to Guy) and was gran to Ella. Her funeral took place at Macclesfield Crematorium. Former floor manager John passed away on 10th April 2013, aged 81.