David Coleman was a professional and generally amiable enough outside the studio, but could be prickly and bad tempered to other BBC staff if he sensed they weren't doing their jobs properly or he was having a bad day.
I’ve actually been fortunate enough to have seen the footage of this at a Kaleidoscope event. It was a BBC2 show called Newsday hosted by Robin Day (that’s the person you hear going into and out of the bulletin). The music has been added on. Peter Woods himself seems quite fidgety and at one point picks his nose whilst looking down at the papers on the desk. It’s clear that the bulletin ends before he does too, it sort of fades back to Robin Day.
Coleman, like 99% of his generation, had seen military service and military discipline. He was used to giving and taking orders barked out briskly. So this way of talking to people lower down the line was quite normal, if rather shocking to our more sensitive ears.
I remember this. We were all pissing ourselves about it at school the next day. (Back then, EVERYONE watched the BBC evening news.) My guess is that he probably used to have a few slurps habitually before reading the news. But if he was on medication for sinusitis (probably antihistamine) then even a moderate amount of alcohol, which would normally have had no visible effect on him, could have rendered him, er... vewy dwousy... vewy dwosy indee...
Just FWIW, this wasn't the BBC-1 evening news, it was Newsday on BBC-2 on 14th May 1976. Most TV viewers were watching either BBC-1 or ITV at the time and would only have found out about this after reading about it in the papers the next day. If you really were watching Newsday on BBC-2, then you were one of the few! A video recording of this programme has recently been rediscovered (only audio recordings were thought to exist), so expect it to start turning up on blooper shows.
BBC Television Centre club bar was a great place apparently. Best place to get "refreshed" before your programme. I remember reading that Wildfrid Brambell who played Albert Steptoe used to drink the bar dry before each recording of Steptoe and Son.
I'm afraid not, it's Jonathan Martin, then a Sports producer. He became controller of BBC Sport. Jonathan Powell was a drama producer then Head of Drama Series, then controller of BBC1.
I agree Elwyn he was the best and always wanted the very best for himself and for the viewing public. Like other great broacasters like Sir Alastair Burnet he like David wanted to very best for the viewing public and various others like them. Also David and Sir Aliastair are 100 times better then the pudding we have on tv today. Like Fiona Bruce Jake Humphreys Matt Baker and Ferne Cotton
I agree Elwyn he was the best and always wanted the very best for himself and for the viewing public. Like other great broacasters like Sir Alastair Burnet he like David wanted to very best for the viewing public and various others like them. Also David and Sir Aliastair are 100 times better then the pudding we have on tv today. Like Fiona Bruce Jake Humphreys Matt Baker and Ferne Cotton
The last time I heard this was on Kenny Everetts radio show on Capital in the 90's, at Christmas, after In dulce jubilo by Mike Oldfield, he went straight into it and its one of those things you dont forget. I just listened to the track on my IPod and it reminded me of this ad, I'm so happy I found it, thanks for putting this up. It made a happy man feel rather old!
David was a perfectionist and wanted the very best for the viewers, which is understandable from a man who was the best in the business at what he did. David Coleman had no peers as a commentator or as the anchor man on Grandstand. Thanks for all those great memories from the early 1960s onwards, David.
Even Kaleidoscope has a copy of this moment, is still "lost media" concept
David Coleman was a professional and generally amiable enough outside the studio, but could be prickly and bad tempered to other BBC staff if he sensed they weren't doing their jobs properly or he was having a bad day.
Peter, you've lost the news!
Eeeeerrrrrr……..remarkable.
I like pisshead newsreaders. Far more honest than the wankers that we are faced with nowadays!
The best commentator ever in my opinion he was so knowledgeable he didn't have no messing with anyone
I’ve actually been fortunate enough to have seen the footage of this at a Kaleidoscope event. It was a BBC2 show called Newsday hosted by Robin Day (that’s the person you hear going into and out of the bulletin). The music has been added on. Peter Woods himself seems quite fidgety and at one point picks his nose whilst looking down at the papers on the desk. It’s clear that the bulletin ends before he does too, it sort of fades back to Robin Day.
Mr Hayter's dulcet tones i am sure must have inspired Harry Enfield and Chums. Mr Kipling... happy memories of the pie eating dotard.
Am I hearing correct when it sounds to me like "hello form Mexico" ? Also what music is that playing ? Yet another theme to Grandstand ?
Mexico '70 world cup theme tune
Coleman, like 99% of his generation, had seen military service and military discipline. He was used to giving and taking orders barked out briskly. So this way of talking to people lower down the line was quite normal, if rather shocking to our more sensitive ears.
Unless It is my hearing which it probably is the first words spoken sound to me like "hello from Mexico" .
Why didn't you just leave the real music instead of that inaccurate one.
When this happened though, this use of the word "fail" would have been utterly meaningless!
Total bully.
Drunk as a sack
I remember this. We were all pissing ourselves about it at school the next day. (Back then, EVERYONE watched the BBC evening news.) My guess is that he probably used to have a few slurps habitually before reading the news. But if he was on medication for sinusitis (probably antihistamine) then even a moderate amount of alcohol, which would normally have had no visible effect on him, could have rendered him, er... vewy dwousy... vewy dwosy indee...
Just FWIW, this wasn't the BBC-1 evening news, it was Newsday on BBC-2 on 14th May 1976. Most TV viewers were watching either BBC-1 or ITV at the time and would only have found out about this after reading about it in the papers the next day. If you really were watching Newsday on BBC-2, then you were one of the few! A video recording of this programme has recently been rediscovered (only audio recordings were thought to exist), so expect it to start turning up on blooper shows.
BBC Television Centre club bar was a great place apparently. Best place to get "refreshed" before your programme. I remember reading that Wildfrid Brambell who played Albert Steptoe used to drink the bar dry before each recording of Steptoe and Son.
Peter Woods pissed at the BBC and good old Reginald Bosanquet at ITN pissed too on many occasions.
In fact it was not a cameraman who felt the wrath of Coleman but Jonathan Martin later to become BBC TV Sports supremo
nn and cs fit jc bro miss is mad no luch for us
To think the Friar would use such an expletive. lol. Thank you.
He was the best the very best RIP David and you were quite remarkable
The Jonathan being berated in this clip is Jonathan Powell... who went on to be controller of BBC1....
I'm afraid not, it's Jonathan Martin, then a Sports producer. He became controller of BBC Sport. Jonathan Powell was a drama producer then Head of Drama Series, then controller of BBC1.
RIP David
I agree Elwyn he was the best and always wanted the very best for himself and for the viewing public. Like other great broacasters like Sir Alastair Burnet he like David wanted to very best for the viewing public and various others like them. Also David and Sir Aliastair are 100 times better then the pudding we have on tv today. Like Fiona Bruce Jake Humphreys Matt Baker and Ferne Cotton
"and we leave the news room earlier than we expected" - he was so gone they cut short the bulletin
Wonderful
I agree Elwyn he was the best and always wanted the very best for himself and for the viewing public. Like other great broacasters like Sir Alastair Burnet he like David wanted to very best for the viewing public and various others like them. Also David and Sir Aliastair are 100 times better then the pudding we have on tv today. Like Fiona Bruce Jake Humphreys Matt Baker and Ferne Cotton
he was pisitively possed
The last time I heard this was on Kenny Everetts radio show on Capital in the 90's, at Christmas, after In dulce jubilo by Mike Oldfield, he went straight into it and its one of those things you dont forget. I just listened to the track on my IPod and it reminded me of this ad, I'm so happy I found it, thanks for putting this up. It made a happy man feel rather old!
David was a perfectionist and wanted the very best for the viewers, which is understandable from a man who was the best in the business at what he did. David Coleman had no peers as a commentator or as the anchor man on Grandstand. Thanks for all those great memories from the early 1960s onwards, David.
Also I have meet David as well he is a gent
David Was The Best Because Like Other Like Sir Alex Ferguson Geoffrey Boycott Brian Clough He Wanted The Best and Be The Best He Was
that has made my entire day.
lol
Pissed as a newt.
It was apparently reaction to medication he was taking for a sinus condition,and he wasn't drunk.
That is EXACTLY what I was told by a BBC technician who worked in the news room with him, very unfair.
"And we *all* believe that, don't we, children?" ;-)
drunk more like
@Feisty1967 He is - just turned 85 years old and still going strong.