Body found in search for missing Channel 4 star Katherine Watson

Katherine Watson
-Credit: (Image: Channel 4)


A body has been found in the search for a missing Channel 4 star.

Katherine Watson, 50, vanished from Newcastle yesterday sparking a major emergency response. She was last seen at around 1pm on Thursday, September 19 in the Heaton Road area of the city.

Police have now tragically confirmed that a body has been found in the Jesmond Dene area following a search. Formal identification has yet to take place, however the body is believed to belong to mum-of-two Katherine.

READ MORE:Heartbreaking final picture of toddler taken minutes before tragic death

READ MORE:Shocking video shows feral teens pull 'knife' on Glasgow cyclist before vicious attack

Officers believe there is no third-party involvement and a report will now be prepared for the coroner.

Superintendent Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an incredibly sad outcome and our thoughts are with Katherine’s loved-ones at this difficult time.

“We will continue to support them in any way we can and we ask that their privacy is respected. Our thanks go to everyone who shared our appeals, provided information and supported our search for Katherine.”

Katherine featured in Geordie Hospital, a fly-on-the-wall-documentary which followed NHS staff in Newcastle's hospitals. She starred in the show due to her role as chaplain at the RVIand Freeman, which aired on Channel 4.

Katherine also has two children with her long-time partner. A retired doctor who worked with her wrote a heartfelt message on social media following her shock disappearance.

They said: "For many of us at Newcastle Hospitals she was our rock during the worst parts of the Covid pandemic.

Another described her as "one of the most wonderful women I have had the pleasure of knowing".

Katherine served as a Royal Military Police veteran and worked in conflict zones such as in the Balkans and Northern Ireland.

She joined the Army at the age of 18 and completed basic training at Army Women’s Training Centre in Guildford.

The veteran was selected to attend the commissioning course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and was commissioned in August 1997. In 2002 she left the Army and trained with Humberside Probation service.

She joined the Newcastle team in 2007 on a long placement ended up staying before being appointed as head of chaplaincy for the trust in 2020.

-Credit:Channel 4
-Credit:Channel 4

Last year Katie spoke lovingly about her role and told the NHS: "No two days are ever the same which means I never know what a shift is going to bring. I spend a lot of my time journeying alongside patients, relatives and the staff, be that on the wards or in the chapel of rest.

"I have the privilege of being with people at the very best and the very worst of times. I enjoy coming to work every day and am proud to be a part of a team that values and supports me. As a former army officer, I particularly recognise how being a part of this Trust, echoes my experiences of good leadership and a strong team ethos."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.