SIR DAVID HATCHSir David Hatch, who died on 12 June 2007, aged 68, was a former head of BBC radio and the man behind several of the channel’s most memorable programmes.As an innovative programme-maker, his early successes included I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again, which allowed up and coming comics including John Cleese and Bill Oddie to showcase their talentLater he was the brains behind Week Ending and Just a Minute, before becoming managing director of the BBC radio network in 1987 and helping to launch Radio Five.Originally a comedian, his career continually evolved as he moved first into serious acting, then producing, then programme-making and finally management.David Hatch was born on 7 May 1939, and was the son of a vicar. He attended St John’s school in Surrey and later studied at Queen’s College Cambridge where he graduated with an MA and Diploma in education.Whilst at Cambridge, he took a wider interest in the arts, becoming a member of the Cambridge Footlights Company which focused heavily on comedy rather than “serious” acting.Following his graduation, Sir David travelled to America and immersed himself into a full scale tour with the Cambridge Circus, before returning and appearing with success on the West End stage.He joined the BBC in 1964, focusing thereafter on what was known in those days as “light entertainment.”At the BBC, Sir David discovered a talent for producing, and from the mid 1960s onwards he was working on popular entertainment shows such as Just a Minute. His innovative ideas earned him respect from audiences and his success in radio would go further.In the 1970s he developed more cutting-edge comedy for the BBC before declaring that his passion for production was diminishing. A new challenge awaited him and in 1980 he became the head of Radio 2.It was his first management role within the BBC and from the outset, Sir David intended to make an impression. He quickly freshened up the station giving it a personality and attention it deserved.Sir David became controller of Radio 4 in 1983. By the time he left four years later, audience figures had improved and the necessary framework was in place for the station to remain a success.In 1987 he was made Managing Director of BBC radio where he focused on introducing a wide spectrum of programming into the schedules.He was behind the launch of Radio 5, which was later replaced by Radio 5 Live, and despite pressure to increase the output of news delegated programmes he was a strong leader in his field.He retired in 1995 but he was not finished with public life and enjoyed an interesting post-BBC career, becoming chair of the National Consumer Council and, from 2000-2004, the Parole Board, before being knighted in 2004.Sir David Hatch will be remembered for his long and effective contribution to a medium which has made increasing strides over the past 40 years. His first wife Ann died in 1997. He leaves behind second wife Mary Clancy Hatch and three children.
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