Sian Mary Williams (; born 28 November 1964) is a Welsh journalist, current affairs presenter, and counselling psychologist.

From 2001 until 2012, Williams regularly presented weekday editions of BBC Breakfast as well as all main news bulletins on BBC One. She presented two series of BBC One's discussion programme Sunday Morning Live from 2014 until 2015.

From January 2016 until March 2022, she was the main presenter of 5 News at 5. In March 2022 ITN announced Williams was to leave her daily presenting role. Williams said in the announcement she planned to continue with some broadcasting projects, but also devote more time to "delivering psychological support".

Early life

Williams was born in Paddington, London, to Welsh parents and was brought up in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Williams' father was from Swansea, and his family had been farmers in Glamorgan. Williams has two younger twin brothers.

She gained a BA degree in English and history from Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University), and studied critical journalistic writing at the University of Rhode Island. In 2012, Williams began training in psychology, gaining an MSc degree from the University of Westminster,

Career

Williams joined the BBC in 1985 and began working as a reporter and producer for BBC Local Radio stations in Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester. From 1990 to 1997, she was editor for BBC Radio 4's The World at One and PM programmes. Williams was also a programme editor for a number of news and election specials across Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live.

Prior to the channel's launch in 1997, Williams joined BBC News 24 as an output editor. During screen tests for potential presenters, one applicant became unwell and Williams was asked to step into the role. Producers were impressed with her performance and they offered her the prime presenting slot of 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm alongside Gavin Esler.

Williams has presented programmes outside of news and current affairs including The One Show, Big Welsh Challenge, Now You're Talking and City Hospital. In 2010, Williams was a reporter for Watchdog. In 2013, she hosted Your Money, Their Tricks with Nicky Campbell and Rebecca Wilcox. Williams also presented a three-part interview series for BBC One Wales titled The Sian Williams Interview featuring Tanni Grey-Thompson, Suzanne Packer and Siân Phillips.

In June 2014, Williams became the new presenter of Sunday Morning Live, BBC One's religious and ethical debating programme. She presented the programme for two series before stepping down and being replaced by Naga Munchetty in June 2016.

On 5 November 2015, Williams announced she would be leaving the BBC to become the new main presenter of 5 News. She presented her first 5 News bulletin on 4 January 2016. and Secrets of your Supermarket Food on C5.

Since 2021 Williams has presented a dedicated weekly mental health slot on 5 News called "Mind Matters with Dr Sian", bringing positive awareness to issues like autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression. In March 2022 ITN announced which began in October.

In November 2023, Williams participated in Series 7, Week 8 of Richard Osman's House of Games.

Williams is a registered counselling psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Other work

Williams was president of TRIC (Television and Radio Industries Club) for 2008–09 and won the title of Best Presenter in 2012 and 2013. She became an Honorary Fellow of the University of Cardiff in July 2012. and was awarded the title of Doctor of Arts of Oxford Brookes University in 2017 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the pursuit of academic excellence.

In 2016 Williams' book Rise: Surviving and Thriving after Trauma, dealing with adversity, was published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Personal life

In February 1991 Williams married Neale Hunt, a former director of advertising firm McCann Erickson, with whom she has two sons. After giving birth to her third son in October 2006 she later disclosed in an interview that she received two litres of blood following complications.

Williams ran the 2001 New York City Marathon and spent several days recovering in hospital from hyponatraemia. After several years not participating in running, she completed the Virgin London Marathon in 2013 and 2018.

During filming for the BBC's Coming Home in November 2010, Williams discovered she was the first member of her family to have been born outside Wales in 350 years of her known family tree.

Filmography

  • City Hospital
  • BBC Breakfast (2001–2012) – co-presenter
  • Watchdog (2010) – reporter
  • Crimewatch (2012, 2015) – stand-in presenter
  • Your Money Their Tricks (2013) – co-presenter
  • The Sian Williams Interview – presenter
  • Sunday Morning Live (2014–2015) – presenter
  • 5 News (2016–2022) – anchor
  • Save Money: Lose Weight (2017) – co-presenter
  • Save Money: Good Health (2017–present) – co-presenter
  • Secrets of Your Supermarket Food (2018–present) – presenter
  • Richard Osman's House of Games (2023) – contestant

References

  • Official website
  • Life Changing (BBC Radio 4)
  • Classical Unwind (BBC Radio 3 Unwind)