John Toye
Encyclopedia
John Toye was a presenter and newsreader on Scottish Television
for over 20 years, and is best known as the former anchor on its flagship news programme Scotland Today
.
during the Second World War.
He returned to America where he studied classical music and even spent time living with Navajo
Native Americans
before attending drama school in London. After working in touring theatre, he applied for a job with STV (then known as Scottish Television
) in 1964, and spent over 20 years with the company.
He married Sheila Ward, a scenic designer, in the early 1960s while still a struggling actor.
His first role on television was as a presenter on Today Is Tuesday before becoming the main anchor on the station's main early evening flagship news programme, Scotland Today
, in September 1972. His almost nightly appearances on STV in the 70s turned Toye into a well known figure in central Scotland
, and he regularly appeared off screen, opening shows or making presentations for charities and other worthwhile causes.
A revamping of Scotland Today in 1984 brought his news presenting to an end, although he remained with STV for a brief spell presenting a weekly consumer programme, What's Your Problem? before eventually leaving STV in 1986.
Toye moved to South Molton
in Devon
in 1990 to start a new life, but failed to relaunch his career and spent the next few years battling against alcoholism combined with depression and financial worries.
. At an inquest held on May 29 1992, the coroner
recorded a verdict of suicide.
Shortly after his death the Scottish Daily Record ran the headline "John Toye may have fired the trigger but STV loaded the gun", a quote that was attributed to his one time co-presenter on Scotland Today Bob Cuddihy. Cuddihy maintained that Toye never recovered from being axed as the presenter of Scotland Today and was treated very poorly by STV. When once asked how he'd like to be remembered, Toye replied "just as a nice guy who tried to do a good job".
John Toye's ashes are interred in Rosneath
cemetery, close to his former home at Clynder
on the Gare Loch
. A headstone marks the spot, titled 'John Toye Actor'.
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
for over 20 years, and is best known as the former anchor on its flagship news programme Scotland Today
Scotland Today
Scotland Today was a Scottish regional news programme covering Central Scotland, produced by STV Central . Despite its name suggesting a national remit, the programme was actually limited to stories around STV's Central Belt franchise...
.
Life and career
Toye's background was actually as an actor, rather than a journalist, and he spent 10 years in the theatre in roles ranging from appearing in Shakespearian plays to building stage scenery. As a child, he spent time in America and was once rescued from a cruise ship torpedoed on route to BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the Second World War.
He returned to America where he studied classical music and even spent time living with Navajo
Navajo people
The Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
before attending drama school in London. After working in touring theatre, he applied for a job with STV (then known as Scottish Television
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
) in 1964, and spent over 20 years with the company.
He married Sheila Ward, a scenic designer, in the early 1960s while still a struggling actor.
His first role on television was as a presenter on Today Is Tuesday before becoming the main anchor on the station's main early evening flagship news programme, Scotland Today
Scotland Today
Scotland Today was a Scottish regional news programme covering Central Scotland, produced by STV Central . Despite its name suggesting a national remit, the programme was actually limited to stories around STV's Central Belt franchise...
, in September 1972. His almost nightly appearances on STV in the 70s turned Toye into a well known figure in central Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and he regularly appeared off screen, opening shows or making presentations for charities and other worthwhile causes.
A revamping of Scotland Today in 1984 brought his news presenting to an end, although he remained with STV for a brief spell presenting a weekly consumer programme, What's Your Problem? before eventually leaving STV in 1986.
Toye moved to South Molton
South Molton
"Molton" redirects here. Or see Molten or Moulton.South Molton is a small town in Devon, England. It is part of the North Devon local government district. The town is on the River Mole. According to the 2001 census the civil parish of South Molton had a population of 4,093.The town was one of...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
in 1990 to start a new life, but failed to relaunch his career and spent the next few years battling against alcoholism combined with depression and financial worries.
Death
John Toye was found shot dead at his Devon flat on April 28 1992. A shotgun lay next to his body. He was 56 years of age. His funeral was held at South Moulton Parish Church in Devon on May 15 1992, and he was later cremated. His wish was that his ashes should be scattered on the River ClydeRiver Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
. At an inquest held on May 29 1992, the coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
recorded a verdict of suicide.
Shortly after his death the Scottish Daily Record ran the headline "John Toye may have fired the trigger but STV loaded the gun", a quote that was attributed to his one time co-presenter on Scotland Today Bob Cuddihy. Cuddihy maintained that Toye never recovered from being axed as the presenter of Scotland Today and was treated very poorly by STV. When once asked how he'd like to be remembered, Toye replied "just as a nice guy who tried to do a good job".
John Toye's ashes are interred in Rosneath
Rosneath
Rosneath is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It sits on the western shore of the Gare Loch near to the tip of the Rosneath peninsula which projects south to the Firth of Clyde between the Gare Loch and Loch Long to the west, and about 2 miles from the village of Kilcreggan which is sited...
cemetery, close to his former home at Clynder
Clynder
Clynder is a place on the western shore of the Gare Loch, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.Historically in the County of Dunbarton, Clynder is one of a string of small settlements on the Rosneath Peninsula...
on the Gare Loch
Gare Loch
The Gare Loch or Gareloch is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.-Geography:A sea loch aligned north-south, Gare Loch is 10 kilometres long with an average width of 1.5 kilometres. At its southern end it opens into the Firth of Clyde through the Rhu narrows...
. A headstone marks the spot, titled 'John Toye Actor'.