Brian Redhead
Encyclopedia
Brian Leonard Redhead (28 December 1929 – 23 January 1994) was a British
author, journalist and broadcaster. He was probably best known as a co-presenter of the Today programme
on BBC Radio 4
which he worked on from 1975 until 1993, shortly before his death. He was a great lover and promoter of the city of Manchester
and the North West
in general, where he lived for most of his career.
. He was the only child of Ernest Leonard Redhead, a silk screen printer and advertising agent, and his wife, Janet Crossley (née Fairley). He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
. After national service
, he read history at Downing College
, Cambridge
.
His career in journalism started in 1954 as a journalist for the Manchester Guardian newspaper (now The Guardian
). He married Jean Salmon (known as Jenni) on 19 June 1954. They had four children: two sons, Stephen and James, and twins, Annabel (known as Abby) and William.
He became northern editor of The Guardian in 1965, and editor of the Manchester Evening News
in 1969. After being passed over for the editorship of The Guardian in favour of Peter Preston
in 1975, he left to join the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, replacing Robert Robinson. He was already an experienced broadcaster, having been 'discovered' around 1960 by a BBC Manchester producer, Olive Shapley
, who was looking for a presenter of a television programme called Something to Read:
topical conversation programme A Word In Edgeways for many years.
He formed a partnership with fellow Today presenter John Timpson
which lasted for over 10 years. Redhead and Timpson had a series of running jokes on the programme, including the mythical organisations "The Friends Of The M6" (long-suffering motorists trapped in its frequent traffic jams) and "The League Of Pear-Shaped Men" (of which he and Timpson were the principal members). His sense of humour often appeared in asides in the Today programme. Talking of a convoy moving at 3 mph, Redhead observed that was probably 3 mph faster than they were moving on the M25 motorway that morning. When working the same slot as John Humphrys
, he gleefully reported that Humphrys had turned up for work on his day off (probably before 6am) and was livid. On another occasion, he reported that the weather would be "brighter in the north than the south, like the people".
During his time on the Today programme, Redhead was accused of political bias by Conservative
Chancellor
Nigel Lawson
, and in reply enquired "Do you think we should have a one minute silence now in this interview, one for you to apologise for daring to suggest that you know how I vote and secondly perhaps in memory of monetarism
which you have now discarded." He later had a similar set-to with Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Lilley
.
The feeling was that Redhead was to the left of his co-presenter John Timpson. Many years later Libby Purves
, who also presented Today at the time, characterised them as classic opposites - Redhead the self-made Northerner, with social democratic leanings and aspirations to better himself, Timpson the gentle (and, perhaps, gently declining in terms of social prestige) old-school conservative middle class Southerner. In her words, Timpson "wanted it to be 1950", while Redhead "was more than ready for the New Britain of the 21st century, although he died before seeing its birth". However, Redhead claimed to be more of a Tory wet
, not a socialist, and stated that he had cast a personal vote for Macclesfield
's Conservative MP, Nicholas Winterton
.
The death of Redhead's youngest son, William, in a car crash in France
in 1982, aged 18, led him to rediscover religious faith, and he became a confirmed member of the Church of England
a few months later. In the Radio 4
series The Good Book, he charted the history of the Bible. In the last years of his life, there was some speculation that after his retirement from Today he would train for ordination
as an Anglican priest
. He was also a strong supporter of the hospice
movement, ambiguously calling it "the best thing that has happened in this country since the Second World War". He became Chancellor of Manchester University.
During the First Gulf War in 1991, he was a volunteer presenter on the BBC Radio 4 News FM service.
which was leaking toxins, causing liver
and kidney
failure and other problems. He took leave from Today in early December, expecting to return after Christmas, but died in January 1994.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
author, journalist and broadcaster. He was probably best known as a co-presenter of the Today programme
Today programme
Today is BBC Radio 4's long-running early morning news and current affairs programme, now broadcast from 6.00 am to 9.00 am Monday to Friday, and 7.00 am to 9.00 am on Saturdays. It is also the most popular programme on Radio 4 and one of the BBC's most popular programmes across its radio networks...
on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
which he worked on from 1975 until 1993, shortly before his death. He was a great lover and promoter of the city of Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and the North West
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
in general, where he lived for most of his career.
Biography
Redhead was born in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. He was the only child of Ernest Leonard Redhead, a silk screen printer and advertising agent, and his wife, Janet Crossley (née Fairley). He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
Royal Grammar School Newcastle upon Tyne, known locally and often abbreviated as RGS, is a long-established co-educational, independent school in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It gained its Royal Charter under Queen Elizabeth I...
. After national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
, he read history at Downing College
Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1800 and currently has around 650 students.- History :...
, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
His career in journalism started in 1954 as a journalist for the Manchester Guardian newspaper (now The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
). He married Jean Salmon (known as Jenni) on 19 June 1954. They had four children: two sons, Stephen and James, and twins, Annabel (known as Abby) and William.
He became northern editor of The Guardian in 1965, and editor of the Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
The Manchester Evening News is a regional daily newspaper covering Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom. It is published every day except Sunday and is owned by Trinity Mirror plc following its sale by Guardian Media Group in early 2010. It has an average daily circulation of 90,973 copies...
in 1969. After being passed over for the editorship of The Guardian in favour of Peter Preston
Peter Preston
Peter John Preston is a British journalist and author. He was educated at Loughborough Grammar School and St John's College, Oxford, where he edited the student paper Cherwell...
in 1975, he left to join the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, replacing Robert Robinson. He was already an experienced broadcaster, having been 'discovered' around 1960 by a BBC Manchester producer, Olive Shapley
Olive Shapley
Olive Mary Shapley was a British radio producer and broadcaster.As an undergraduate at St Hugh's College, Oxford from 1929 she soon met her lifelong friend Barbara Betts, the future Labour politician Barbara Castle; the two women spent their holidays together, and unlike Betts Shapley was briefly...
, who was looking for a presenter of a television programme called Something to Read:
I held auditions over two days and there were some promising people. However, on the second day a young man turned up who was clearly highly intelligent and knowledgable, oozed confidence, communicated effortlessly through the camera, was very funny and never stopped talking. I knew instantly that this was the one.Later, Redhead presented Points North on television, and chaired the Saturday night Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
topical conversation programme A Word In Edgeways for many years.
He formed a partnership with fellow Today presenter John Timpson
John Timpson
John Harry Robert Timpson OBE, , born in Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex, was a British journalist, best known as a radio presenter. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, a boys' independent school in Northwood, London....
which lasted for over 10 years. Redhead and Timpson had a series of running jokes on the programme, including the mythical organisations "The Friends Of The M6" (long-suffering motorists trapped in its frequent traffic jams) and "The League Of Pear-Shaped Men" (of which he and Timpson were the principal members). His sense of humour often appeared in asides in the Today programme. Talking of a convoy moving at 3 mph, Redhead observed that was probably 3 mph faster than they were moving on the M25 motorway that morning. When working the same slot as John Humphrys
John Humphrys
Desmond John Humphrys , is a Welsh-born British author, journalist and presenter of radio and television, who has won many national broadcasting awards...
, he gleefully reported that Humphrys had turned up for work on his day off (probably before 6am) and was livid. On another occasion, he reported that the weather would be "brighter in the north than the south, like the people".
During his time on the Today programme, Redhead was accused of political bias by Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Chancellor
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
Nigel Lawson
Nigel Lawson
Nigel Lawson, Baron Lawson of Blaby, PC , is a British Conservative politician and journalist. He was a Member of Parliament representing the constituency of Blaby from 1974–92, and served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the government of Margaret Thatcher from June 1983 to October 1989...
, and in reply enquired "Do you think we should have a one minute silence now in this interview, one for you to apologise for daring to suggest that you know how I vote and secondly perhaps in memory of monetarism
Monetarism
Monetarism is a tendency in economic thought that emphasizes the role of governments in controlling the amount of money in circulation. It is the view within monetary economics that variation in the money supply has major influences on national output in the short run and the price level over...
which you have now discarded." He later had a similar set-to with Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Lilley
Peter Lilley
Peter Bruce Lilley MP is a British Conservative Party politician who has been a Member of Parliament MP since 1983. He currently represents the constituency of Hitchin and Harpenden and, prior to boundary changes, represented St Albans...
.
The feeling was that Redhead was to the left of his co-presenter John Timpson. Many years later Libby Purves
Libby Purves
Libby Purves OBE is a British radio presenter, journalist and author. A diplomat's daughter, she was educated at convent schools in Israel, Bangkok, South Africa and France, and then Beechwood Sacred Heart School in Tunbridge Wells.Purves won a scholarship to St Anne's College, Oxford, where she...
, who also presented Today at the time, characterised them as classic opposites - Redhead the self-made Northerner, with social democratic leanings and aspirations to better himself, Timpson the gentle (and, perhaps, gently declining in terms of social prestige) old-school conservative middle class Southerner. In her words, Timpson "wanted it to be 1950", while Redhead "was more than ready for the New Britain of the 21st century, although he died before seeing its birth". However, Redhead claimed to be more of a Tory wet
Wets
During the 1980s, members of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom who opposed some of the more hard-line policies of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher were often referred to as "wets"...
, not a socialist, and stated that he had cast a personal vote for Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
's Conservative MP, Nicholas Winterton
Nicholas Winterton
Sir Nicholas Raymond Winterton is a retired British Conservative Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Macclesfield from 1971 until he retired from the House of Commons at the 2010 general election....
.
The death of Redhead's youngest son, William, in a car crash in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1982, aged 18, led him to rediscover religious faith, and he became a confirmed member of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
a few months later. In the Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
series The Good Book, he charted the history of the Bible. In the last years of his life, there was some speculation that after his retirement from Today he would train for ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
as an Anglican priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. He was also a strong supporter of the hospice
Hospice
Hospice is a type of care and a philosophy of care which focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's symptoms.In the United States and Canada:*Gentiva Health Services, national provider of hospice and home health services...
movement, ambiguously calling it "the best thing that has happened in this country since the Second World War". He became Chancellor of Manchester University.
During the First Gulf War in 1991, he was a volunteer presenter on the BBC Radio 4 News FM service.
Death
In 1993, his health started to fail and he was in pain on his left side and leg. He was thought to need hip surgery, but in fact had a ruptured appendixVermiform appendix
The appendix is a blind-ended tube connected to the cecum , from which it develops embryologically. The cecum is a pouchlike structure of the colon...
which was leaking toxins, causing liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
and kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
failure and other problems. He took leave from Today in early December, expecting to return after Christmas, but died in January 1994.
Books by Brian Redhead
- Manchester - a Celebration. André Deutsch Limited, London. ISBN 0-233-98816-5
- Personal Perspectives. Harper Collins Publishers January, 1996 Hardcover ISBN 0-00-638685-7
- Plato to NATO: Studies on political thought. Penguin Books 23 February 1995 ISBN 0-14-024677-0
- with Kenneth McLeish (ed.), The Anti-Booklist. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1981. ISBN 0-340-27447-6
- with Geoffrey Berry A Love of the Lakes. Constable 1988 ISBN: 0094687404