Who was Paul Fox? British television icon dies at 98
Paul Fox, a pioneering figure in the UK television industry, has passed away at the age of 98. His family informed the BBC of his demise earlier on Tuesday (local time). Fox is best remembered for his significant contributions as the chief of BBC1 and the overseer of Network Television for the broader BBC, as well as his tenure as Managing Director of Yorkshire Television. May he rest in peace.
Fox: A storied career in television
Fox's illustrious career in television began in the 1950s as a scriptwriter for the Newsreels program. He later transitioned to producing Sportsview—an acclaimed sports program. It was during this tenure that he conceived the idea of the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, a prestigious event still celebrated every December. His rise to prominence came in 1967 when he became the head of BBC1, greenlighting some of the network's most cherished shows.
Fox's contributions to iconic television shows
During his tenure as the head of BBC1, he commissioned some of the network's most beloved shows. These included the comedy series The Two Ronnies, the talk show Parkinson, and the wartime sitcom Dad's Army. From 1973 to 1988, he led Yorkshire Television, ITV's franchise holder for Yorkshire. During his tenure, all the moon landings of Project Apollo took place, and Fox ensured ample airtime on his network for coverage of these historic events.
His contributions were recognized with these honors
During his illustrious career, Fox held several prominent positions. Following his retirement from the BBC at the age of 65 in 1991, he assumed roles such as chairman of the Racecourse Association from 1993 to 1997 and chairman of the DISASTERS EMERC Committee from 1996 to 1999. Additionally, he served as a sports columnist for The Daily Telegraph from 1991 to 2003. Fox's contributions to the industry were recognized with honors including a CBE in 1985, and knighthood in 1991.
BBC Director-General paid tribute to Fox
Tim Davie, the Director-General of the BBC, paid tribute to Fox's enduring legacy in an official statement. He stated, "Sir Paul had a towering career in television, not just with the BBC, but across the industry." Davie further acknowledged him as "one of the best TV executives from a golden era in television" and expressed, "Few people have had such a broad and lasting impact on the TV landscape." "He will be hugely missed."
