Belatedly, it is important to record the passing of John Wilford, a much loved colleague at BBC World, who died at Wheatfields Hospice, Leeds, on 5th October 2020. He was 80.

John was Yorkshire Television’s first news editor, and later became editor of the regional news programme, Calendar.

On the night in 1974 when Brian Clough was sacked by Leeds United after 44 days in the job, John masterminded the live televised confrontation between Clough and Don Revie. "It was an electrifying meeting between two football giants," records the Guardian obituary (link below).

John continued as a freelance after his retirement; like others, I was fortunate to encounter him at BBC World. I have happy memories of so many Sunday mornings presenting early, with John's very very dry humour, impersonations, observations about the news of the day and of course, about BBC management, coming thick and fast into the earpiece. Knowing John was your news producer in the gallery and you'd be treated to his wry wit always made those early alarm calls worthwhile. His whole modus operandi was not to take it all too seriously, have fun... and his was an unflappable "seen it before, dear boy" voice in your ear.

RIP, John.

The Guardian published this obituary by Paul Dunstan:https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/oct/26/john-wilford-obituary?fbclid=IwAR3...