Television boss Sir Paul Fox has died aged 98. BBC Director General Tim Davie has led tributes to the corporation’s former boss in an emotional statement, writing: “Sir Paul had a towering career in television – not just with the BBC – but across the industry.
He added: “Few people have had such a broad and lasting impact on the TV landscape, commissioning shows that audiences have loved for decades and still love. From Sports Personality of the Year and Panorama to the Two Ronnies, Dad’s Army and Parkinson, his legacy is unmatched.
“He was one of the best TV executives from a golden era in television. He will be hugely missed.” Paul began his broadcasting career in the 1950s as a newsreel scriptwriter after serving in the Parachute Regiment.
He went on to edit the BBC‘s Sportsview and Panorama and invented BBC Sports Personality of the Year. While working as controller of BBC One, he oversaw the launch of some of the corporation’s biggest shows such as Dad’s Army, Parkinson and The Two Ronnies.
Paul later moved to Yorkshire Television where he began working as managing director for 15 years. Following the latter role, he returned to the BBC in the same role but for network television.
