And now Michael Fish is throwing his weight behind a campaign to raise awareness of help available to vulnerable people this winter.
He has joined forces with Home Heat Helpline which gives advice on benefits and funding available to people struggling to pay soaring energy bills.
Around 99 per cent of eligible UK households missed the chance for help last year as they did not apply - with 60 per cent who are entitled to support being “unwilling to ask”.
Michael said he was shocked to discover there are 3.6 million homes - 14 per cent of the nation - eligible for assistance with their energy bills.
He said: “Some of these figures really surprised me, it is an awful lot of people that need help.
“As we sit in our nice warm homes we don’t realise just how many people are suffering, and this is why I have decided to back this campaign".
The former BBC broadcaster is the star of a spoof weather report encouraging people to seek out assistance as the cold weather sets in.
In the mock report the weather legend, famous for his infamous 1987 hurricane blunder, highlights cold spots from last year’s winter.
The video can be viewed on the Home Heat Helpline website, Facebook page and on YouTube.
Michael said: “Hopefully with a super star national icon behind this, more people will take notice and I am very pleased to be involved.
“It doesn’t have to be an exceptionally cold winter for people to be at risk, if you are in an old house with poor insulation it can get very cold.
“I hope this video really gets the message across that people don’t have to sit in cold homes over winter, there are funds available".
As we sit in our nice warm homes we don’t realise just how many people are suffering, and this is why I have decided to back this campaign
Michael Fish
Home Heat Helpline has found almost half of people aged 16 to 24 do not apply for help because of a sense of embarrassment.
Yet there is £300 million available this year in a Government-led Warm Home Discount scheme, which sees suppliers obliged to give rebates of £135 to vulnerable customers.
Angela Knight, chief executive of Energy UK said: “As winter starts to bite, we are strongly urging anyone who is concerned about keeping on top of their bills to call and speak to one of our friendly advisors.”
Michael said: “This is a very worthwhile cause and I hope that by banging the drum about it I can help to prevent unnecessary deaths.
“Many people, including myself, don’t know the scheme exists, another good thing is that to get help it only takes a telephone call.
“Many people don’t have computers but they can get help at the end of the telephone.”
There is still the question whether we are in for a white Christmas this year, and who better to know than the legend himself.
Michael said: “It is still too early to tell whether we are in for White Christmas but my hunch is that I won’t be putting any money on it.”
Find out if you are eligible for energy bill savings by calling the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699.
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