To say that Tony Parsons is a household name and that his is one of the most recognizable faces in BC are almost understatements. Having served over 35 years as anchor of the News Hour the provinces most popular television news program Parsons is a virtual member of millions of BC families. Many British Columbians really dont believe a thing until they have heard Tony say it. In his first book Tony Parsons tells his own story beginning in England during the London blitz and moving to smalltown Ontario where his alcoholic father left his mother to raise six children on her own. He was set on his 50year broadcasting career by a high school teacher who liked the way he read in class and endured long years of lowpower country radio stations before breaking into bigtime television with CFTO in Toronto where he became news anchor in Canadas biggest market. By the early 1970s hed had enough of Toronto and gave up his prestigious position to move to Vancouver as a reporter for CTV developing a taste for offbeat stories. In 1973 BCTV now Global BC offered him the job of hosting its new evening news hour a position Tony will have held for 37 years when he retires in 2010. Some interesting Tony facts his surname was originally Parsonage. He is half Italian. He has been married three times. He has no children. He is devoted to his Maltese cross Jack who sleeps at his feet during newscasts. He is an obsessive golfer. He admits to having battled the bottle just like his father. With Tony as anchor the News Hour enjoyed some of the highest ratings in North America. Tony is 70 years old.Modest informative and amusing just like Tony himself A Life in the News offers revealing insights into the life of one of BCs most visible media personalities as well as fascinating views of behindthescenes life at BCs most watched news show. show more