Family sharesNews Nev’s message for loved ones
THE family of Nev Wilshire have paid tribute to him following his death.
The businessman and entrepreneur, who wowed audiences in the hit BBC reality series The Call Centre, passed away on Saturday morning. The cause of his death remains unknown.
In a statement, Nev’s family described him as a “much-loved dad” and “adored Grampy”, before sharing some words of wisdom from the late star.
It read: “It is with the greatest of sadness that we announce the death of Neville Wilshire of Five Roads, Llanelli, late of Swansea.
“Much loved Dad of his four children, Becci, Jon, Phil and Abi. Son of Marian and the late Professor Brian Wilshire. Brother of Ralph and the late Keith Wilshire. Adored Grampy Nev to his six wonderful grandchildren. We ask that you respect our privacy during these sad times.
“In Dad’s own words: ‘Look after each other and care for each other. When it all comes down to it at the end of my life, I will not be giving people instructions of details on how to run a successful business, I will be responding to how those around me are.
“The family is very important to me, both my close family and those I share my time with each day. The more you give the more you receive. The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart...
“I am by nature a happy person and I do all I can to create a happy environment around me... We all have to take knock backs in life, just get back in the saddle with a smile on your face and ride.’”
News of his passing has been met with an outpouring of sadness as well as love for the father-of-four - whose perennial optimism and larger-than-life character made him as much of a hit with TV viewers as it did friends and colleagues.
Friend and former colleague Hayley Pearce, who also starred on the Call Centre, posted a moving tribute on Twitter.
She wrote: “He was more than a boss to me. He was like family. The memories we made together are ones I will cherish and talk about for the rest of my life.”
Former tea lady Hayley, who has since gone on to forge a successful media career, added: “I can’t thank him enough for believing in me. He changed my life. RIP. Truly gutted.”
Nev became CEO of Save Britain Money in 2010, and it was in this role that he shot to fame in the BBC Three fly-on-the-wall documentary.
The series, which first aired in 2013, followed him and the 700 staff working at his call centre in the Swansea Enterprise Zone and saw the “natural showman” lead early-morning singalongs including rousing renditions of The Killers’ Mr Brightside - as well as crack jokes and take on employees in arm wrestles.
Tributes poured in for the call centre boss as news of his death broke, with former colleague Lisa Jayne posting on Facebook that Nev had a heart of gold and she would never forget the support that he gave her.
She added: “When I was looking at pics to post (of him), every one I had was at a charity event.”
Close friend John Tancock also posted on the social media site: “Nev was an enormous character, he made an impact wherever he went. He was a Christian, he was a good man, he helped many people. Like all of us he had his sins and flaws but God has accepted him. Rest in peace my
friend.”
He was more than a boss to me. He was like family. The memories we made together are ones I will cherish and talk about for the rest of my life Friend and former colleague Hayley Pearce