Katherine Watson, often known as Katie, became a recognisable community figure after appearing in the TV series Geordie Hospital, which focused on her work as a chaplain(Image: No credit)

Channel 4 star, 50, missing as police launch major hunt and grow 'increasingly concerned for welfare'

Katherine Watson, often known as Katie, appeared in the TV series Geordie Hospital. The 50-year-old ex-army officer was last seen in the Newcastle area on early Thursday afternoon

20 Sep 2024, 13:35 by Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas · Irish Mirror

Police have issued an appeal after a Channel 4 television star was reported missing.

Katherine Watson, often known as Katie, appeared in the TV series Geordie Hospital. The 50-year-old ex-army officer was last seen in the Newcastle area on early Thursday afternoon.

She was wearing a green hat and 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. Reverend Captain Katie Watson is known on-screen for her work as a chaplain in Geordie Hospital, a Channel 4 TV show which follows the daily lives of NHS workers at Newcastle Hospitals.

Northumbria Police have launched an urgent appeal. A spokesperson for the force said: "The 50-year-old was last seen in the Heaton road area at around 1pm today, 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. She has a number of tattoos on her arms, as well as a military tattoo on her chest."

Katie previously served in the army, having joined at the age of 18 in 1992. She completed basic training at Army Women's Training Centre in Guilford before moving on to undertake trade training with the Royal Military Police at Chichester. In the 1990s, Katie completed two operational tours to Bosnia and Croatia, and was later deployed as a searcher Corporal in Northern Ireland. In 2002, she left the Army and trained with Humberside Probation, before going on an NHS placement in Newcastle five years later. She stayed on permanently and became head of chaplaincy in 2022.

Katherine is a chaplain at Newcastle Hospitals(Image: Channel 4)

Following news of her disappearance, a now-retired former colleague wrote on social media: "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 has links to the Heaton and Jesmond areas of Newcastle but could have travelled further afield across the Northumbria Police area. Katherine, or anyone who knows her whereabouts, is asked to contact police by sending a direct message on social media, using the live chat function or report forms on their website, or by calling 101 and quoting reference number NP-20240919-0717.

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