Just a lovely story about newsreader Richard Baker, who has died aged 93
Sad news today that the great Richard Baker, who introduced the first BBC TV news bulletin in 1954, has died aged 93.
Baker will be a familiar face – and voice – to anyone who grew up in the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s and of course took part in that wonderful Morecambe and Wise song and dance routine in 1977. He also has a long association with classical music and Last Night of the Proms.
His BBC colleague John Simpson said this.
Richard Baker, who has just died, was one of the finest newsreaders of modern times: highly intelligent, thoughtful, gentle, yet tough in defence of his principles.
— John Simpson (@JohnSimpsonNews) November 17, 2018
And his passing reminded us of this lovely story, shared a few months back by Terence Dackombe on Twitter, of how he settled into the retirement home where he spent his last few years.
Richard Baker is still reading the news
(Gyles Brandreth, in ‘The Oldie’) pic.twitter.com/JeGJn6fA3T— Terence Dackombe (@SirTerence) June 20, 2018
Just wonderful.
It's one of those stories that makes you think that underneath it all something is still right in the world
— Ian Simmons (@IanSimmons) June 21, 2018
And here he is introducing the news back in 1954.
Richard Baker introducing the BBC Television News. July 5th, 1954. pic.twitter.com/WPMSQ1lIBL
— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) June 21, 2018
RIP Richard Baker. Our thoughts go out to all his family and friends.
