A train robber, an actress, an animator, a TV executive and a human rights activist
John Wilson on the train robber Bruce Reynolds, the actress Lady Elspet Gray, the animator Bob Godfrey, TV executive Sir Denis Forman and the human rights activist StΓ©phane Hessel.
On Last Word this week:
Bruce Reynolds, the man who masterminded the Great Train Robbery.
Lady Elspet Gray, who partnered her husband Brian Rix both in stage and screen farces, and running the Mencap charity.
Oscar winning animator Bob Godfrey, best known for Roobarb and Custard, is remembered by Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park and cartoonist Steve Bell.
Sir Denis Forman, chairman of Granada Television, who oversaw World in Action, Coronation Street and The Jewel in the Crown.
And StΓ©phane Hessel, the former French Resistance fighter whose 2010 manifesto Time for Outrage inspired social protesters.
Last on
Bruce Reynolds
Born 7 September 1931; died 28 February 2013 aged 81.
Sir Denis Forman
John spoke to his colleague, the World In Action producer Linda McDougall, to Professor Steven Barnett of Westminster University and to Channel 4’s first Chief Executive, Lord Isaacs.
Born 13 October 1917; died 24 February 2013 aged 95.
Bob Godfrey
Last Word spoke to his daughter, Claire Godfrey, to the animator Nick Park and to the Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell.
Born 27 May 1921; died 21 February 2013 aged 91.StΓ©phane Hessel
The French journalist, Agnès Poirier, pays tribute.
Born 20 October 1917; died 26 February 2013 aged 95.
Lady Elspet Gray
John spoke to her husband, Lord Brian Rix, to her friend the actress Honor Blackman and to Brian Baldock of Mencap.
Born 12 April 1929; died 18 February 2013 aged 83.
Broadcasts
- Fri 1 Mar 2013 16:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 3 Mar 2013 20:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Podcast
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Last Word
Radio 4's weekly obituary programme
