About Jill Dando

Jill Dando news reporters celebrate the life and legacy of Jill Dando

“JILL DANDO WAS THE SMILING FACE OF BRITAIN. JILL DANDO NEWS WAS LIFE CHANGING FOR ME”

Olivia, the first Jill Dando News reporter, now studying Medicine at Bristol University

Jill Dando News interview Prime Minster Noris Johnson inside Downing Street

The Jill Dando News Network is an inspirational community of young reporters across the world.

Jill Dando was a brilliant TV journalist and the ‘face of Britain' after starting as a news reporter for her Worle School magazine Merlin aged 13 before she was tragically murdered in 1999.

CBS News reporters with Jill Dando Disabilities Editor Ellise at Priory School

Now children and young people are being trained to be reporters 'the Jill Dando way' in the Jill Dando Network.

Jill Dando News reporters aim to cheer people up in an age of bad news.

Jill grew up in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset England and went to nearby Worle School in 1973 where she started her news reporting.

After leaving the school in 1978, she joined the Weston Mercury and rose the ranks to become the best TV reporter around. She was the friend of the stars.

But crucially, Jill retained her lovely personality, positive, kind, humble, generous and passionate about good news.

Over 100 reporters now are learning journalism the Jill Dando way in the Jill Dando News Network. (JDN News)

Olivia Finch, the first ever Jill Dando News student who started aged 12 at Worle School,, said: "Jill was the smiling face of Britain. News teams are having a brilliant time carrying on her legacy by writing inspirational stories on students and the community."

The opening of Jill Dando News at Priory School

Priory School set up the first news centre in 2011 then Jill's old school in Worle a mile away created the Jill Dando News Centre in 2017, to get their news from Worle to the World. Now other schools across England and the world are doing the same.

It has taken them to Downing Street, Parliament and across the world. CBS News picked up one of their stories.

Olivia Finch th first ever Jill Dando News reporter with Nigel Dando and reporters

They interview other students, people in the community, and famous people such as Boris Johnson, Bear Grylls, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, James Cracknell, Jeffrey Archer and more.

Boris hails Jill Dando News Centre

“ I am bowled over by the professionalism of the Jill Dando News Centre.”

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister during a three hour visit.

Jill Dando News reporters quiz Boris Johnson inside Downing Street in front of TV cameras

In July 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited our Jill Dando News Centre at The King Alfred School Academy in Somerset.

The former journalist declared he was “bowled over by the professionalism of the Jill Dando News Centre”, and was interviewed by the reporters.

The Jill Dando Network has been visited by journalists from across the world.

Jill's brother Nigel helps with the training.

The JDN highlights Jill's life and legacy, while boosting positivity, kindness, good news and strong mental health and wellbeing.