Denis Forman, who was chairman and managing director of Granada, gives his verdict on John Birt's time at the BBC in the current edition of the Oldie:

“He’s so clever at planning and organising, not an ounce of creativity. He made the BBC a mechanical business, mundane. It should work like a club, not like a bank.   Its quality was its club-like atmosphere, like-minded people, cultured, enthusiastic, devoted to the medium.   David Attenborough, the greatest broadcaster of our age, Huw Wheldon, Paul Fox.   Where are their like today?   The BBC lost its identity under John Birt”.

So did my job!