Helen Willetts (born 28 November 1972 in Chester, Cheshire, England) is a meteorologist on the BBC. She appears regularly on BBC News, BBC World News, BBC Red Button, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 2. Willetts is an occasional weather forecaster on the BBC News at Ten on BBC One.

Early life Willetts was born in Chester, England. She first lived in Buckley, Flintshire. Her father was a gas engineer. She grew up on Bryn Celyn in Upper Colwyn Bay in Wales.Wales on Sunday Sunday 5 January 1997

She was educated at Ysgol Eirias (Eirias High School) in Colwyn Bay. She first wanted to be an air hostess.North Wales Weekly News Thursday 31 March 1988, page 8 She obtained a first class honours degree in Physics at the University of Nottingham in 1993.

She joined the Met Office in July 1993,North Wales Weekly News Thursday 8 July 1993, page 23 to begin a five-month weather forecaster training course at the Met Office College based at the former RAF Shinfield Park. She later worked at Cardiff, appearing on the BBC Wales news.North Wales Weekly News Thursday 18 May 1995, page 5

Broadcasting career In July 1994, Willetts moved to the Weather Centre in Cardiff. From 1995, she was a forecaster on both BBC Television and BBC Radio in Wales.

In 1997, she joined BBC Weather in London to work for BBC News.

Awards In March 2006, she was awarded the Television and Radio Industry Club (TRIC) award for best TV weather presenter.

Personal life Helen played badminton internationally for Wales. She enjoys walking, cycling and travelling.

Sport In 1983 Willets played badminton for Llandudno Junction Badminton Club, with Victoria Luff.North Wales Weekly News Thursday, 12 May 1983, page 41 By 1984 she played for the Vardre and Stella Maris clubs in Deganwy. Her sister Emma also played.North Wales Weekly News Thursday 1 November 1984, page 38 By 1985 she played for the Wales Under-14 team. North Wales Weekly News Thursday 28 November 1985 By 1987 she played for the Wales Under-16 team, and the county team. With her sister, she played for West Clyde and East Gwynedd. Her parents played competitive badminton as well.North Wales Weekly News Thursday 18 October 1984, page 40 By 1991 she played for the University of Nottingham, with Jo Shorrell.Nottingham Evening Post Thursday 21 November 1991, page 38

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