Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Steve Willis


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.  

The result was delete. --- Deville (Talk) 17:23, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

Steve Willis
This is probably a hoax. Ian Cheese 12:39, 24 September 2006 (UTC) I can confirm that this is a genuine article. He is also mentioned in www.blogorrah.com along with Irish model Glenda Gilson. — Preceding unsigned comment added by ClaireLMillington (talk • contribs) If there is anything else you need to know, please just ask. He is on tonight hopefully, I will be tuning in. Paul-Johnson 16:14, 24 September 2006 (UTC) I cant as I am not even registered with you, I just came by as I was looking something up re Dormston School, and I saw the name Steve Willis and it took me here. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 82.37.179.220 (talk • contribs).
 * Comment There are no Google hits for "Steve Willis" together with any of the topics in the article. The website http://www.stevewillis.eu/ is hosted by a free webspace provider. A collaboration as described in the article (a sydicated UK/Ireland radio programme) is extremely unlikely.Ian Cheese 12:44, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete per above. MER-C 12:48, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete never heard of him - if its not a hoax, its not notable - two hours a week on a local AM radio station in the UK is all the website claims he has. --Kiand 13:04, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep I used to listen to Today with Steve Willis when we lived in Ireland, reception was not great as we lived outside Dublin, but he was very popular. Reading the bit about the gaps in the programme makes sense. I did remember those. He did often read emails out from people in Spain, Gibraltar and the UK. That programme I can say with certainly was a syndicated programme. ClaireLMillington 13:42, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * — Possible single purpose account: ClaireLMillington (talk • contribs) has made few or no other contributions outside this topic.
 * Comment While I had difficulty finding any entries for him I found one reference to his program in 2003, so it looks like this might be a real person, though not too notable in Google terms and possibly non-notable enough to justify deletion without more source information. ww2censor 14:24, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Comment Look at User:ClaireLMillington's contributions. "She" removed this article's entry from today's log. User:Paul-Johnson and User:Roy Wedge, the editors of the article, are also new accounts. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ian Cheese (talk • contribs)
 * Keep There are google hits for "steve willis.eu" which is exactly what he gives on air. I used to read the news on 2fm overnight, and later went to Galway Bay FM. I knew Steve Willis, back in about 1999 when he used to use the RTÉ Radio Centre, to present his programme up until 2001 if my memory serves me right. I am now the Group Editor for Galway Now magazine. He certainly is notable in Ireland. SineadNiNeachtain 15:23, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * — Possible single purpose account: SineadNiNeachtain (talk • contribs) has made few or no other contributions outside this topic.
 * Comment Sorry, but as a new user, I just followed some links and thought that I had done the right thing. Very sorry, but it wasn't clear. I am a new user, still learning how it works.
 * Comment I stated in my write up that it was a syndicated programme. This is true, but after reading it back it sounds like it syndicated to UK and Ireland together. It broadcast from Ireland and was also syndicated to Spain. The English programme was seperate.
 * — Possible single purpose account: Paul-Johnson (talk • contribs) has made few or no other contributions outside this topic.
 * Strong Delete Fails notability criteria at WP:BIO, and I'm not impressed by the appearance of two users whose only contributions to Wikipedia are keep votes in this AfD and one attempt at suppressing the AfD entry altogether. Equendil Talk 18:44, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Comment / Keep Lets be fair here. If it's any consolation, I did tune in and I did hear him. It ties in and I see this to be accurate. I believe this was added essentially, in good faith, and after spending some time reading what various people have commented, I deem this to be acceptable. Maybe we should contact Steve Willis himself and get his comments. Any takers???
 * Why on earth would we want his comments ? Equendil Talk 21:03, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

I have also found references to Steve Willis on DebtSmart.com, Express and Star (Newspaper) September 2003, Shropshire Star same period. BBC Aerial Magazine June 2006, and BBC Local radio Website. Beetroot1 22:02, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Strong Keep If there is such a thing. When my family lived in Gibraltar (we returned to UK in 2005) Dad used to have the Steve Willis Today programme in the evening. The programme was originally from either UK or Ireland, although I don't know which.
 * The edit above is the user's only edit on Wikipedia, which won't surprise anyone, he also removed the last unsigned tag above (the IP one) that I added, I'm putting it back. Equendil Talk 22:08, 24 September 2006 (UTC)
 * He also tried to blank the whole AfD page ... Equendil Talk 00:43, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

CommentIt should be noted that the radio station mentioned in the article is a student-run station and does indeed show Willis as the presenter for Sunday evenings 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. So...if the reason for deletion is "hoax" then I would vote keep. I would abstain if the reason was "notability." Risker 01:25, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * And before anyone gets all frantic, I have been posting here since December 2005, live in Canada, and only read this article and did fact checking due to the AN/I comments. Risker 01:25, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

--Blue Tie 02:13, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete Not noteable. Cruft.


 * Delete. No sources. WAS 4.250 03:06, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete I never heard of him, reliable sources never heard of him, and everybody who has heard of him appears to be a brand new user. Guy 12:26, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Strong delete Agree with Guy - seems like a sockpuppet creation.  There have been lots of attempts to squeeze non-notable Steve Willis onto other pages of late.  Users Stevewillis, 82.37.179.220 and VickyRoper (and possibly EmmaWaldren) may be other sock puppets, see here.  Cheers, --Plumbago 17:27, 25 September 2006 (UTC) (plus fixing my link, --Plumbago 17:32, 25 September 2006 (UTC))
 * By the way, I reported the incident on AN/I, WP:AN/I Equendil Talk 18:21, 25 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Delete fails WP:BIO oh and can we turn up the radio to drown out all the meat/sockpuppets on this page? --Charlesknight 21:29, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

This is my very first contribution. Hope non of you mind. D@taM@n 21:30, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Comment I am a new user, just signed up today. I have been reading all these comments, so I followed the link to http://www.stevewillis.eu and I notice that there is a response from Steve Willis himself. I don't think he's too pleased about it. Just thought you all should know.
 * There's no such thing right now on that site I can see. Equendil Talk 21:36, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes there is. Click HOME at the top!!!! D@taM@n 21:37, 25 September 2006 (UTC)


 * ::: Oh but there is, HOWEVER, it appeared AFTER our new editor told us about it. Amazing stuff, I'm sure you'd agree. Does D@taM@n have a computer that sees into the future? Maybe amazing mental abilities? or is there a more mundane reason - who can say! (HINT: next time edit your website first and then tell people about it using your sockpuppet) --Charlesknight 21:40, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks Steve, it works now. Equendil Talk 21:42, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * It's gone now ... Equendil Talk 22:09, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

Maybe I email him and ask him when he added the coments. But I don't see your problem. D@taM@n 21:45, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * The second thing about sockpuppeting is to get your story straight. So when you say that maybe I emailed him, make sure you don't say something else elsewhere. --Charlesknight 21:51, 25 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Comment I am Paul Johnson, I made the original page, that you are all making a fuss about. The information that I have provided is true and accurate as far as I know. I have seen the comments on his website and, I am very sorry if I have caused any upset. These comments on steve's site appeard around 18.00 UTC, but went off again later this evening. Paul-Johnson 21:55, 25 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Am I right in thinking that it's possible to relist an AFD and exclude new and unregistered editors from the process? Because I think that would be sensible before the sockpuppets start breeding. --Charlesknight 22:00, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * That's not really necessary, any closing admin will be able to see what's going on here and make his decision accordingly. Equendil Talk 22:08, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Gosh - someone is now attacking my page - what an interesting user history! --Charlesknight 22:14, 25 September 2006 (UTC)


 * I am not a sock/meat puppet by any stretch of the imagination. I am a "Willisette" which is what he calls his female followers, he was pulled up back in 2004 for using the term "WOG's" meaning Willis's Old Gals, a play on Terry Wogans TOG's. hence I am just a listener to his show, He was also connected with Telford FM and friend of Ian Perry, former presenter of Beacon Radio's Midnight Line. I see the comment on the steve willis website has gone again. Along with some slight realignments. It was their at 07.00h this morning. Beetroot1 18:15, 26 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Oh, you just happened to end up on Wikipedia coincidently the same week as several other new users started making edits related to a "Steve Willis", completely unknown to Wikipedia until then, and not exactly a celebrity in the first place ? It is also a coincidence that, like the other users, you happen to know fine details about this Steve Willis, and care very much about him, so much so you had to blank this AfD ? Amazing ! Equendil Talk 18:25, 26 September 2006 (UTC)


 * ',,,Strong Keep''' I seem to remember I when I visited my friends in Dublin a few years back we listened to a radio station by the name of Phoenix FM. I do remember hearing someone by the name of Steve Willis - that's all I can really add to this debate.82.47.100.243
 * Let me get this right, you have cable broadband and your ISP is blueyonder just like the other anon involved, and blueyonder also happen to be Steve's hosting company, your IP traces back to Wolverhampton, which happen to be where Steve allegedly work . You also happen to have no other edit from that IP. Do you *really* think we're that stupid ? Equendil Talk 18:49, 26 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Additionally, Pheonix FM is a extremely low-power (25W EIRP), community radio station based in a portakabin at a shopping centre. Its presenters do not come anywhere close to the notability requirements to be on the Wikipedia. Your apparent friends would have had to visit Blanchardstown, not Dublin City, to even receive Pheonix FM. --Kiand 18:58, 26 September 2006 (UTC)
 * What really impresses me about our new editors is how unlike most novice editors they jump straight into AFD debates, sadly none of them have any time to edit any other pages. --Charlesknight 20:10, 26 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Keep/ Comment - I too would consider myself a Willisette, I am lookikng at the WCR website at his photo as I sit here, flicking my lady-bean. Does anyone have any more (different) piccys of him please? ClaireLMillington 21:35, 26 September 2006 (UTC)
 * — Possible single purpose account: ClaireLMillington (talk • contribs) has made few or no other contributions outside this topic.
 * Additionally note that this is the second time this sockpuppet has tried to vote keep in this AFD. --ForbiddenWord 15:01, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete. Per nom and followup arguments. (Blatant sock-puppetry and related vandalism annoying) Guliolopez 21:56, 26 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Strong keep I lived in Ireland several years ago and i used to be a regular listener to Steve Willis on Cool FM. I now live in the county of Berkshire and have most recently heard Steve on London NewsTalk, and have occassionally seen Steve read the news on London Tonight.  I would describe Steve Willis as a locum broadcaster, however i would say that Steve is a notable person and this page should be kept.  Many thanks, Tania Evans 80.189.171.58 15:59, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * — I am AMAZED to notice that the single edit by this new member of the (sock)family is to this AFD. It's sooo lucky for Steve that so many of his fans just happen to find this AFD. ':  has made few or no other contributions outside this topic. --Charlesknight 18:32, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * I find it even more amazing that they listened to a Northern Irish radio station in Ireland, especially as its transmission site is relatively well shielded and its only cross-NI coverage is on DAB - which very few Irish people have receivers for. I also find it amazing that every listener who "heard him" a few years ago happens to stumble across to this to vote, and that they're all avid AM radio listeners as well as FM and DAB - must be hard keeping up with three modes of transmission to follow eh? --Kiand 18:56, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * As a radio broadcaster myself, (as explained in earlier comments) It is quite possible to listen to any radio. My last radio station was Galway Bay FM and we used to listen to Red FM (Corcaigh) online. I think the comments of 80.189.171.58 are quite plausable. She did not say that she listened off air or online. Also Ireland is a general term, again non specific, (ROI/NI. She says she lives in Berks. UK, After checking the IP, I do indeed see a London connection, and Newstalk 1152 I would have thought would be receivable in that area. I really cannot believe we are all debating how well known he is. What do you all want? Me to put a photo of him on the Galway Now website? SineadNiNeachtain 19:24, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * No need, because as another single edit user, you're almost certainly a sockpuppet too. No need to waste even more of your time at this utterly pointless exercise, because I think you should see by now that the article is going to be deleted. --Kiand 19:31, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

Why don't you just delete it then? rather that accuse me of being a sockpuppet? It stikes me that anyone who gives a plausable response, or you disagree with, are classed as sock puppets. I'm sure you will find plenty of references too him if you take the trouble too look. At no time have you ever seen me vandalise anything, though I would consider it now.
 * I have explained once before - I used too work with him, I don't want sex with him or anything, just to stick up for what is right. (By the way) Comment - Why is their not a page about me? I would be reasonably well known too!! SineadNiNeachtain 19:46, 27 September 2006 (UTC)


 * sigh - ok, let's accept for the moment that you are a real person, what VERIFIABLE source can you point us towards? not "I think", "I know", "I saw", "I put a sock over my hand, but a hard piece of evidence. This is your chance, show us the evidence... --Charlesknight 19:50, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes, I would also like to see this. "Hard evidence" doesn't cover websites you or any of the other supposed people who've voted on this thread own/run/work for, for a start. So far, the only "hard evidence" we have is that he does two hours a week on a student-run AM radio station, which means he fails entirely on notability requirements. Theres no proof he ever worked for Today FM, and no web references to it; no proof he ever presented London Tonight and no web references, and so on. No evidence at all. --Kiand 19:54, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

This is what I have found!! ClaireLMillington 20:06, 27 September 2006 (UTC) This was done to welcome him back from Ireland, He still does other shows, but this is the station who got the credit for having him.
 * OK, that proves what new information? That he works on a AM student radio station.... which we already knew as the sole provable piece of information about him. Anything else you can drag up from your personal archives that might actually prove some notability, cause community radio presenters don't come close to the requirements. --Kiand 20:11, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

I cannot believe you don't know who he is. I bet non of you have even heard his show. And what makes you people the judge & jury in this case.SineadNiNeachtain 20:13, 27 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Nope no idea who he is. No I've never heard his show because I don't tend to listen to student radio stations. And we are the Judge and jury because we have read Wikipedia policies. By the way, I am going to request a checkuser on your and Claire's IP addresses because I suspect they might be the same. --Charlesknight 20:17, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * I don't know who he is because he's not notable in the wider radio market, or the Irish one, and I haven't heard his show because I don't live in Wolverhampton, or indeed listen to AM radio or community radio at any stage. And when/if he was on Phoenix FM, well, I don't live in the car park of the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre because their signal doesn't go much further. And I'd support a full sock-check of the IPs and new user accounts involved in this pointless charade. --Kiand 20:47, 27 September 2006 (UTC)


 * What I particularly liked about the notice Willis put on his website (now interestingly removed) was that he talked about Wikipedia as if he'd just heard about it ("some site called Wikipedia"). When, in fact, he'd set up a user account, User:Stevewillis, several months ago to spam the same sort of vain nonsense.  Either he's a dreadful liar (surely not!), or dementia is setting in at an early age.  Best get to the doctor Steve.  --Plumbago 21:13, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Nice catch, I'll add it to the AN/I case, though nobody seems to care there. I suppose this should go to checkuser, but then, checkuser is not supposed to be used for obvious sockpuppetry, so I hope an admin will step up and stop this nonsense instead. Equendil Talk 22:42, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Either a hoax, or it fails WP:V very badly. Google test didn't come up with any answers for that that question, so I'm inclined to

say Delete as unverified information. - Stephanie Daugherty (Triona) - Talk - Comment - 11:03, 28 September 2006 (UTC)
 *  Keep  I have to say, i find it quite ammusing with all these comments re sock puppetry - I worked with the guy and can verify that the guy does exist and he is quite a popular broadcaster.SineadNiNeachtain 14:02, 28 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Comment No-one is denying that he exists. The debate is whether he is notable enough to appear in the Wikipedia.  Given that he is just one of many presenters working in a local radio station, his notability is very much up for grabs.  That he's (ineptly) been using sock-puppets to vainly promote himself in Wikipedia is, to a degree, a secondary issue (though it hardly helps his case).  Anyway, I don't know why I'm saying this to what's probably another of his sock-puppets.  --Plumbago 14:38, 28 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Comment It would appear that SineadNiNeachtain may not be a sockpuppet after all. She has a website here, but I can't find a way to contact her directly to check this account really is being operated by her.  --Plumbago 13:14, 29 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Note that this is the second time SineadNiNeachtain has tried to vote in this AFD. --ForbiddenWord 15:33, 29 September 2006 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.