We loved Michael Fish. Nobody in my circuit mistook the Met Office for the NKVD. When he went off air, he had a fan club calling for his return.
But you're right, I think it was a sensationalist tabloid talking point to say "Michael Fish missed the hurricane" but he was a well loved weatherman.
One of my astro chums at Bracknell rode a thumpingly noisy 4 stroke indian with a side-car, smoked hand-rolled menthol cigarettes and appeared to want to become Patrick Moore in size and demeanour. I like to think he fitted in well.