Body found in search for missing Channel 4 star after 'concern'
A search was launched for a much-loved Channel 4 star after police grew "increasingly concerned for her welfare".
Katherine Watson, a hospital chaplain from Newcastle, was reported missing sparking a desperate search from Northumbria Police.
The force said the 50-year-old, who works as head of chaplaincy at a Newcastle NHS trust and was featured in the Channel 4 series Geordie Hospital, was last seen in the Heaton Road area of Newcastle at about 1pm on Thursday (September 19).
She was wearing a green hat, a backpack, dark trousers and a dark hooded top. She has a number of tattoos on her arms and a military tattoo on her chest.
A body has since been found in the search for the missing star, though formal identification is yet to take place.
Superintendent Darren Adams, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an incredibly sad outcome and our thoughts are with Katherine’s loved-ones at thisdifficult 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.”
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Katherine appeared on Geordie Hospital in 2022. The show followed the work of NHS staff in Newcastle's hospitals and displayed Katie's work as a chaplain at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and Freeman Hospital.
A doctor who worked with her shared a message on social media following her disappearance: "For many of us at Newcastle Hospitals she was our rock during the worst parts of the Covid pandemic."
Another person described her as an "amazing person" and a third said her kindness had "a profound effect on many, many lives".
The full statement from Northumbria Police reads: "Have you seen #Newcastle woman Katherine Watson? The 50-year-old was last seen in the Heaton Road area at around 1pm [on Thursday], and we're growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.
"Searches are ongoing to locate Katherine, who is described as a white woman, around 5ft 6ins in height, of slim build, with short light grey hair.
"Katherine was last seen wearing a green hat, a back pack, with dark trousers and a dark hooded top. She has a number of tattoos on her arms, as well as a military tattoo on her chest. She has links to the #Heaton and #Jesmond areas of #Newcastle – but could have travelled further afield.
"Any info? Please get in touch by sending us a direct message, using the live chat function or report forms on our website, or by calling 101 quoting reference: NP-20240919-0717."
