Star of BBC’s The Call Centre Nev Wilshire dies aged 61 as friends pay tribute to ‘larger than life’ father-of-four
- Nev Wilshire died on Friday night aged 61 and circumstances of death unknown
- The businessman was a much-loved star of BBC documentary The Call Centre
- He starred in the 2013 hit series after becoming CEO of Save Britain Money in 2010
- Tributes have poured in on for father-of-four from ex-colleagues and friends
Friends have paid tribute to ‘larger than life’ Nev Wilshire, star of BBC’s The Call Centre, who has died aged 61.
Mr Wilshire, a Welsh businessman and public speaker, died on Friday night.
His former colleague Hayley Pearce paid tribute to him on Twitter, confirming the news of his passing.
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.
‘I can’t thank him enough for believing in me. He changed my life. RIP. Truly gutted.’
Circumstances surrounding the 61-year-old’s death are currently unknown, according to WalesOnline.
Friends have paid tribute to ‘larger than life’ Nev Wilshire (pictured), star of BBC’s The Call Centre, who has died aged 61
The businessman was born in Pennard, Gower in 1960 and first worked for a builder’s merchant.
He then moved into sales and when he was 24, he set up his own company called Central Heating Services.
At its peak, the company turned over £4.8m before going bankrupt in 1996.
The father-of-four starred in hit BBC Three documentary The Call Centre in 2013, after becoming CEO of Save Britain Money in 2010.
Mr Wilshire (pictured) starred in BBC Three documentary The Call Centre in 2013, after becoming CEO of Save Britain Money in 2010
He quickly shot to fame in the series, which showed him and the 700 staff at his call centre in the Swansea Enterprise Zone.
Described as a ‘natural showman’, he led early morning songs at the call centre where staff would belt out Mr Brightside by the Killers with him among other hits.
He would also take on his staff in arm wrestles and crack jokes.
The Call Centre was a popular show, with more than three million people tuning into the first episode.
His management style also won him a number of fans who grew to love the show, comparing him to David Brent from The Office.
Another series saw the team helping Mr Wilshire set up a new call centre 4,000 miles away in India- Nev’s Indian Call Centre.
A keen footballer, Mr Wilshire once played for clubs including Pontardawe, Port Talbot and Carmarthen as a top Welsh League striker.
However, he decided to ditch fooball to concentrate on his sales career.
The 61-year-old was a huge Swansea City fan and played in charity football matches for SellebritySoccer earlier this year.
The 61-year-old was a huge Swansea City fan and played in charity football matches for SellebritySoccer earlier this year (pictured)
He had also been at a fundraiser for Swans fan Mitchell Powell, who died aged just 26.
Describing him, a bio read: ‘Whether he’s leading his new recruits in a sing-a-long to One Direction, kicking footballs at naughty sales agents in the butt stocks, or encouraging his staff to write poetry – Nev is a boss with an unique style of management all his own.
‘A die hard Swansea City fan and season ticket holder, Nev was born and bred in Swansea and wouldn’t move anywhere else for all the money in the World. He describes himself as one of the good guys, like Napoleon…’
Hundreds of people paid tribute to Mr Wilshire on social media following his death.
A former colleague called Lisa Jayne, who worked with Mr Wilshire and featured on The Call Centre, wrote on Facebook that she would never forget the support he gave her.
A former colleague called Lisa Jayne, who worked with Mr Wilshire (pictured) and featured on The Call Centre, wrote on Facebook that she would never forget the support he gave her
She described him as a man with a ‘heart of gold’ who was also helping people and attending charity events.
Another friend John Tancock wrote online: ‘Nev passed away this morning. 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.’
Another friend, Jay Curtis, wrote: ‘So very sad to hear about the passing of Nev Wilshire today. Always a larger than life character who made me laugh on every occasion I worked with him. #RIPNev’
The BBC described Mr Wilshire as ‘a boss quite unlike any other’. Pictured: Mr Wilshire on The Call Centre
The BBC described Mr Wilshire as ‘a boss quite unlike any other’ according to the Sun.
Others wrote online: ‘RIP Nev, you was one hell of a Nice guy and put Swansea on the Map’
Another posted: ‘Rest in peace to the Welsh legend Nev Wilshire. The man was amazing in BBC’s The Call Centre and was a genuinely decent man who’d help anyone out. Sad day for Wales.’
An ex-employee wrote: ‘Sorry to Hear my old Boss Nev Wilshire has passed away. Had some funny times with Nev at The Callcentre Sending Condolences to Nevs family RIP.’
An ex-employee wrote: ‘Sorry to Hear my old Boss Nev Wilshire has passed away. Had some funny times with Nev at The Callcentre Sending Condolences to Nevs family RIP’
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