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Bob Holness 1928 - 2012 |
Born November 12 1928, died January 6 2012. One of the Gentlemen of Broadcasting.
Julian Bray comments: I was sad to hear of the death of Bob Holness, 83, who achieved widespread fame and recognition following a long and successful earlier career in radio and television, his later fame came as the genial host of the Blockbusters TV game.
My own recollection of Bob is from a much earlier period when for a number of years Bob Holness, hosted BBC Radio 2 Late Night Extra (Producer Tony Luke) for some 8 years, and I as a junior freelance radio reporter would pop up from time to time lugging in my heavy UHER reel to reel recorder, with my latest on location taped report.
I would alternate with another BBC newbie John Simpson, who developed into the BBC's globe trotting world correspondent. Bob always struck me as being the perfect post war role model for a BBC broadcaster, genial, professional, gentle and immaculately dressed, even at midnight!
He would always find time to have a quick word and unusual in the frenetic world of broadcasting find time to thank each and every contributor or pick up on a conversation which had been left hanging days earlier. His recall was quite astounding.
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Douglas Cameron (Left) and Bob Holness (right) |
Our paths were later to cross when commercial radio started up, and he at the London Broadcasting Company (LBC London) was the co-host with Douglas Cameron of the earlhy morning show (Cameron best remembered for his choice of loud primary colour jackets and a tupperware bowl of cornflakes which he and Bob would rapidly share and consume at their newsroom desks during news breaks!) I had moved over to LBC, days before Marshall Stewart who had also decamped from the BBC Today programme.
Bob had one of the longest showbiz marriages, but suffered a series of a series of strokes over the last 20 years. He is survived by his wife Mary, their son and two daughters . Bob Holness Born November 12 1928, died January 6 2012. One of the Gentlemen of Broadcasting.
Contributor: Media, Aviation, Politics & Travel Expert, Broadcaster Julian Bray UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 downline +44(0)1733 555 319 (B'cast ISDN Remote Studio) G722/APT-X Dual Codecs Glensound C5
1 comment:
Dear Julian
My mother Mary and I read your tribute with tears in our eyes. What a lovely recollection! Thank you so much. We'll be having a Memorial to Bob at St Paul's Covent Garden sometime in March. We would love you to be there. I have your email and will be in touch.
Best wishes
Ros (Daughter)
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