Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> Notices, obituaries and tributes >> Tom Kilgour http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1140640346 Message started by Forum Admin on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 8:33pm

Title: Tom Kilgour
Post by Forum Admin on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 8:33pm

This is taken from Ariel, w/c February 20 2006:

TOM KILGOUR, who has died aged 76, was one of the best-known and most highly regarded pioneers of BBC regional broadcasting, especially in his native north east. He joined as a newsreader with the start of regional television transmissions in the wake of plans to launch commercial television in the mid-50s.

At the time Tom was a successful actor at the Newcastle rep company based at the Flora Robson Theatre, and would dash straight from the studio after transmission to make the stage on time. But he quickly became an integral part of Newcastle’s Look North programme, firstly with George House, and then forming a partnership with Mike Neville which was to last the best part of 30 years. Together they could fill any time available when technical breakdowns intervened. The only danger was that when the two thespians started freewheeling to fill time, they’d amuse each other into laughing too much. And the Geordie public loved them and their rapport with each other and the audience.

As head of presentation he was responsible for talent-spotting, and nurturing, many young presenters, and his interface with the public was legendary. One lady from north Yorkshire, who regularly rang to complain about Channel 4 programmes, simply wouldn’t accept that the BBC wasn’t responsible for all broadcasting, so Tom politely took her weekly calls and passed them on to Charlotte Street.

He was a superb location presenter too. His long-running Looks Natural series won a huge army of viewers as it explored the natural history of the north east and Cumbria throughout the 60s and 70s.

Everyone who met Tom knew his warmth and generosity, his passion for the region, his love of nature, and his care for his family and friends. He was a gentleman, a marvellous friend and a valued colleague.

He is survived by his wife Noreen, his two children and two grandchildren.

Mark Scrimshaw