This is taken from Ariel, w/c April 3, 2006:

Jeremy Silberston
tribute by: Marcia Wheeler and Betty Willingale

Jeremy Silberston was recruited by the BBC originally more for his ability to speak French and drive than for his previous experience as an ASM on an ITV soap, and his having toured Europe with a Disney ice show.

The French was needed for foreign filming on Rebecca, directed by Simon Langton and starring Joanna David, a production which generated lasting friendships. Jeremy had learned to cook to exacting French standards; he gave excellent parties, producing festive food from tiny kitchens, for an ever growing roster of friends.

He stayed with series and serials as an AFM, notably on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, driving Alec Guinness around in a unit car full of traffic cones and being a tireless team member on a tough shoot happening mostly at night in foul weather.

He then trained as a production manager, working as location manager on Smiley's People, his French again vital for the Paris scenes. He was PM on a wide range of shows, from My Cousin Rachel to EastEnders, Dr Who and Bleak House before training as a drama director.

Paul Mitchell, a producer in schools department, gave him his first fully fledged directing credit. After this, among others he directed EastEnders (including a Christmas special with record viewing figures) and The House of Eliott. As a freelance director, he worked for Verity Lambert on Coasting and was chosen to launch Midsomer Murders. Impressed by his talents, Anthony Horowitz, the originator of Foyle's War, championed him as the lead director. This series won the viewers' choice award at Bafta.

He returned to the BBC for an episode of Inspector Lynley in 2005.

All who knew him will remember Jeremy for his beautiful manners, elegance, grace under pressure and stylish kindness. He gathered a wide circle of colleagues who became and remained friends over his long, but not nearly long enough, career.

Jeremy is survived by his two young sons, Theo and Toby, and by his wife Catherine Napier who worked until recently for the BBC's World Service.