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6 unusual facts about Robin Day


Geoffrey Johnson-Smith

In his final year he and Robin Day took part in a debating tour of United States run by the English-Speaking Union.

Geoffrey Lawler

At the end of the campaign, Michael Foot was challenged by Robin Day in a televised interview to say whether he would back Pat Wall or Ben Ford.

Max Atkinson

Sir Robin Day, commenting for BBC television, described the experience as ‘The most refreshing speech we’ve heard so far.’

Robin Day

Day's obituary in The Guardian by Dick Taverne stated that "he was the most outstanding television journalist of his generation. He transformed the television interview, changed the relationship between politicians and television, and strove to assert balance and rationality into the medium's treatment of current affairs".

Monty Python's Flying Circus often used Day as a reference, including the 'Eddie Baby' sketch in which John Cleese turns to the camera and states: 'Robin Day's got a hedgehog called Frank.'

The Ministerial Broadcast

He quickly rejects the idea of an interview, referring to the likes of Robin Day, Brian Walden, Terry Wogan, and Jimmy Young as “failed MPs and jumped-up disc jockeys.”


Alastair Burnet

Sir James William Alexander Burnet, known as Sir Alastair Burnet (12 July 1928 – 20 July 2012), was a British journalist and broadcaster, best known for his work in news and current affairs programmes, including a long career with ITN as chief presenter of the flagship News at Ten for eighteen years; Sir Robin Day described Burnet as "the booster rocket that put ITN into orbit".

Royal Festival Hall

The Festival Hall project was led by London County Council’s chief architect, Robert Matthew, who gathered around him a young team of talented designers including Leslie Martin, who was eventually to lead the project with Edwin Williams and Peter Moro, along with the furniture designer Robin Day and his wife, the textile designer Lucienne Day.

United Kingdom general election, 1964

The election night was broadcast live on the BBC, and was presented by Richard Dimbleby, with Robin Day, Cliff Michelmore and David Butler.

United Kingdom general election, 1966

The election night was broadcast live on the BBC, and was presented by Cliff Michelmore, Robin Day, Robert McKenzie and David Butler.


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