Authors OnLine -

Our Editor, Richard Fitt attended the book launch on Monday 31st October (2006) of John Grist's definitive work on the life of Grace Wyndham Goldie, the person mainly responsible for the development of Current Affairs television at the BBC during the 1950's and 60's. Needless to say therefore, the launch, which was held in the magnificent setting of the famous 'Reform Club' in Pall Mall, was attended by many dignitaries, both past and present from the world of television. There were also several retired MPs present, John having been the man responsible for instigating television broadcasting from the Houses of Parliament.

Sir David Attenborough, who wrote the foreword to the book, gave an introductory speech in which he stated that anybody writing any book in future about the BBC would be forced to take notice of John's extremely well researched insight into Grace. He said it was an extremely important historical book that covered an important chapter in the development of both the BBC and current affairs television in particular. Her remarkable talents were responsible for such famous programmes as Monitor, Tonight and Panorama, which of course is still going today.

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