Peter Orton

For English mycologist,, see P.D. Orton.
Peter Orton
Born Peter Charles Orton
17 June 1943
Portsmouth, England
Died 5 December 2007(2007-12-05) (aged 64)
Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, England, UK
Spouse(s) Susan Stevenson (1972-2007)
Children Jamie Orton

Peter Charles Orton, CVO (17 June 1943 – 5 December 2007) was a British media entrepreneur and television producer noted for his work in children's television. He and businesswoman Sophie Turner Laing founded HiT Entertainment in 1989.[1] Orton led the company from 1989 to 2005 when he sold it to Apax. After HiT was sold to Apax in 2005, he retired but kept close contacts with the entertainment world.

Personal life

Orton married his wife Susan Stevenson in 1972. They have a son named Jamie.

Illness and death

After being diagnosed with neck cancer in 1996[2] he served as chairman of the Head and Neck Cancer Research Trust.

Orton died of cancer in 2007 at the age of 64.[3]

Honours

Peter Orton was honoured with a BAFTA Special Award, the lifetime achievement award, in 2002 for his significant contribution within the children's television sector.[4]

Peter Orton was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2007 New Year Honours for his contribution to children's literacy.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Obituary - The Times - 12 December 2007 retrieved 3 April 2010
  2. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2005/may/07/media
  3. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2007/dec/12/guardianobituaries.television
  4. ↑ http://www.bafta.org/awards/special,2365,BA.html
  5. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/peter-orton-media-entrepreneur-who-made-a-global-success-of-bob-the-builder-764554.html

External links

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