Television: Factual Programmes

People

Presenters of The Sky at Night, following the death of Patrick Moore in 2013	Female		Maggie Aderin–Pocock
	Male		Chris Lintott
BBC sport presenter, invented Mo Farah's 'Mobot' celebration (when they were both guests on Sky TV's A League of their Own, in May 2012)			Clare Balding
Replaced Sue Barker as lead presenter of BBC television's Wimbledon coverage in 2023
Main presenter of the BBC One early–evening magazine–style current affairs programme Nationwide, for its first eight years (1969–77)			Michael Barratt
Granted a famous TV interview with Princess Diana in 1995, after her divorce from Prince Charles; also produced a controversial documentary about Michael Jackson, including much interview footage, 2003			Martin Bashir
Former WWII Spitfire piolot: the original presenter of Tomorrow's World (BBC1, 1965–77) – left after being described by new editor Michael Blakstad as a "dinosaur"; also provided radio commentary for the coronation of Elizabeth II, the funerals of George VI, Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten, and Concorde's first flight			Raymond Baxter
Presenter (property expert) in Channel 4's Property Ladder, Streets Ahead, and Britain's Best Homes			Sarah Beeny
First presenters on BBC Breakfast Time			Frank Bough
			Selina Scott
Wheeler Dealers	The dealer		Mike Brewer
	The mechanic (series 1 to 13)		Edd China
Presented This Morning with John Leslie, later Philip Schofield			Fern Britton
The Ascent of Man (BBC, 1973) – presenter (Polish–born; had previously appeared on The Brains Trust; died of a heart attack in 1974, aged 66)			Jacob Bronowski
Replaced Jill Dando as presenter of Crimewatch after the latter's murder in 1999; first female presenter of BBC1's Ten o'Clock News (as relief to Huw Edwards, on its launch in 2003); replaced Michael Aspel on his retirement as presenter of The Antiques Roadshow (2008); co–presenter of Fake or Fortune (from 2011); replaced David Dimbleby as the host of Question Time in 2019			Fiona Bruce
Presented the news report that inspired Band Aid			Michael Buerk
ITN journalist and newsreader, 1963–91 – particularly associated with News at Ten from 1978 (as well as in its early days); editor of The Economist 1965–74, and the Daily Express 1974–6; described by Robin Day as "the booster rocket that put ITN into orbit", and by Andrew Neil (following his death in 2012, aged 84) as "Britain's greatest broadcaster"			Alastair Burnet
British science fiction author: presented his Mysterious World, World of Strange Powers and Mysterious Universe on television in the 1980s and 90s			Arthur C. Clarke
Highly–respected BBC political editor, 1981–92 – arguably best remembered by many for the mangled vowels of his Belfast accent; died in 2013, aged 85			John Cole
Bristol–based racing driver, claimed in his 2010 autobiography to be The Stig (from Top Gear); won a court case allowing the book to be published			Ben Collins
Eponymous presenter of the BBC children's news programme Newsround, from its inception in 1972 until 1989, when he moved on to Countryfile			John Craven
Replaced Sue Cook as presenter of Crimewatch, in 1995; murdered in 1999			Jill Dando
Anchor man on ITV's World of Sport, from 1968 to 1985: died in 2023, aged 94			Dickie Davies
BBC's chief commentator at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II			Richard Dimbleby
Made his name in three River Cottage series (Channel 4), 1998–2003 – in which he took over a gamekeeper's cottage in Dorset and set out to achieve a form of self–sufficiency			Hugh Fearnley–Whittingstall
BBC weather presenter, told viewers in October 1987: "Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way ... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!" Later that evening, the worst storm to hit South East England for three centuries caused record damage and killed 19 people			Michael Fish
Disciplined by Thames TV for encouraging the Sex Pistols to misbehave on tea–time TV			Bill Grundy
Presenter of BBC2's Gardeners' World, from 1979 until his death in 1996: developed Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland, and made them famous			Geoff Hamilton
Presenter of Out of Town on Southern TV, 1963–81; also known nationally for the children's programme How (1966–81); died 1994 aged 82			Jack Hargreaves
Controversial reality TV star and Sun columnist: gained over three stones in weight, in 2014, for a TV documentary series (broadcast on the Discovery channel TLC) in which she aimed to show how easy it is to diet			Katie Hopkins
Australian wildlife expert, known for his exuberant and enthusiastic presenting style: achieved worldwide fame as the presenter and star of The Crocodile Hunter (1996–2007); catchphrase "Crikey!"; died in 2006 from an injury caused by a stingray			Steve Irwin
Indian actress, based in New York, presenter of several series on Indian cooking 1980s to mid–1990s; also the author of several books on the same subject			Madhur Jaffrey
Sacked from This Morning in 2002, following allegations of sexual misconduct			John Leslie
BBC Newsnight presenter: conducted an award–winning interview with Prince Andrew in November 2019, following the death by suicide of his friend Jeffrey Epstein, after which he resigned from all royal duties			Emily Maitlis
First woman to read the news on British television (ITN, 1955)			Barbara Mandell
BBC Political Editor, 2000–5 (former Editor of The Independent); presented a History of Modern Britain, 2007, and The Making of Modern Britain, 2009			Andrew Marr
Ministry of Defence spokesman during the Falklands war, 1982 – noted for his precise, matter–of–fact delivery of news reports at televised press conferences			Ian McDonald
Hosted the BBC's television coverage of the Apollo moon landings, the Aberfan disaster, the 1966 and 1970 UK general elections, and the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969; presenter of Tonight, 1957–65; first presenter of the BBC's Holiday programme (1969–86)			Cliff Michelmore
The world's longest run as original presenter of a television programme (The Sky at Night – 1957–2013)			Patrick Moore
Replaced Pru Leith in 2017 as a judge on Great British Menu			Andi Oliver
Narrator of The World at War			Laurence Olivier
The doyen of racing commentators: retired in 1998			Peter O'Sullevan
Son of a Labour life peer: left the BBC, where he'd been Business Editor and Economics Editor, in 2015 to join ITV News as Political Editor			Robert Peston
The first regular female presenter of the News on BBC television (Nine O'Clock News, 1975; see Barbara Mandell, Nan Winton)			Angela Rippon
BBC rugby union correspondent, 1983–2018: joined the BBC in 1972, after his playing career (8 caps for Scotland, 1968–70) was cut short at age 25 by a knee injury			Ian Robertson
US astronomer, presented Cosmos (1980) – died in 1996, aged 62			Carl Sagan
Writer and presenter of BBC's A History of Britain, 2000–2 (15 episodes)			Simon Schama
Took over from John Leslie on This Morning			Philip Schofield
BBC World Affairs Editor, 1988–(2006)			John Simpson
Joined ITN in 1964, becoming a newsreader in 1976; read the news on Channel 4, 1982–9; chairman of BBC TV's Question Time, 1989–93 (after Robin Day, before David Dimbleby); accused the BBC of a left–wing bias, in his 2011 autobiography; died from leukaemia in 2019, aged 77			Peter Sissons
Read the news on Channel 4 from 1989 to 2021			Jon Snow
Cousin of the above – presented BBC Newsnight from its launch in 1980 until 1997; his son Dan presents popular history programmes, also on the BBC			Peter Snow
Born in East Finchley underground station (on the Northern Line), 1944			Jerry Springer
Hartlepool United's most famous fan: presenter of Sky Sports' Gillette Soccer Saturday (previously Sports Saturday) since 1994; also hosted Countdown (Channel 4) from 2009 to 2011			Jeff Stelling
ITV newsreader: gave up presenting Police Camera Action! in 2003 after his second drink driving conviction			Alastair Stewart
TV newsreader whose brother (David) played Hercule Poirot			John Suchet
Presenter of Police 5 – catchphrase "Keep 'em peeled!"; also presented the first public information films for the 'Clunk, Click' campaign in the summer of 1970, but was succeeded by Jimmy Savile the following January			Shaw Taylor
Eponymous presenter of Weird Weekends (BBC2), and other programmes where he spends time with people on the fringes of society (and some high–profile celebrities)			Louis Theroux
Versatile BBC sports presenter: Ski Sunday (1978–96); anchorman for BBC snooker coverage from 1978 until his retirement in 2000; commentated on the Olympics, and worked on Match of the Day and Grandstand; see also Television Entertainment			David Vine
Legendary darts commentator – known as "the voice of darts": born Alnwick, Northumberland, 1940; created and produced The Indoor League for Yorkshire TV (1973–8), one of the first television programmes to feature darts; joined the BBC in 1976 and became one of its commentators on the first World Professional Darts Championship; went freelance in 1994, and commentated for Sky Sports until his death in 2012, aged 72, from cancer; the PDC World Championship trophy was named in his honour in 2013			Sid Waddell
Labour MP, resigned his seat in 1977 to present ITV's Weekend World (left in 1986; died in 2019, aged 86)			Brian Walden
The voice of motor racing on BBC television, 1976–96, and ITV 1997 to 2001; known for his animated enthusiasm, authoritative voice and comical blunders; died in 2001, aged 97			Murray Walker
Legendary wrestling commentator on ITV's World of Sport, 1955–88			Kent Walton
First woman to read the news on BBC television (1960 – see Barbara Mandell); died in 2019, aged 93			Nan Winton
Presenter of Stars on Sunday – nicknamed The Bishop			Jess Yates

Programmes

Nostalgic newsreel programme produced by Granada TV, 1960–73 and 1987–9; presented by James Cameron (1960–1), Brian Inglis (1961–73) and Bernard Braden (1987–9); title is a quotation from Macbeth			All Our Yesterdays
BBC2, 1969: Kenneth Clark traces the history of Western art, architecture and philosophy			Civilisation
1988 This Week episode, about the shooting of three IRA members in Gibraltar, which criticised the SAS and was held by some to have been the reason for Thames TV losing its franchise in 1992			Death on the Rock
Yorkshire TV science programme, 1974–79 – presented by Derek Griffiths, panel included Magnus Pyke, David Bellamy, Miriam Stoppard, Rob Buckman (title later changed to Don't Just Sit There)			Don't Ask Me
BBC daytime property–based programme, 2002–: presenters have included Jules Hudson, Aled Jones and Nicki Chapman			Escape to the Country
"I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free" – written and performed by Billy Taylor, recorded by Nina Simone on a 1967 album – is the famous theme tune to			"The Film programme"
BBC2 business documentary (2012–), in which Alex Polizzi visits struggling family businesses and (hopefully) gets them back to profitability			The Fixer
Channel 4, from 1999: features unusual and often elaborate architectural homebuilding projects; presented by Kevin McCloud			Grand Designs
Andi Oliver (replaced Pru Leith in 2017), Oliver Peyton and Matthew Fort are judges on			Great British Menu
BBC: ran from 1969 to 2007; presented at different times by Cliff Michelmore, Jill Dando and Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen			Holiday
BBC daytime property–based programme, 2003 to date: original presenters Lucy Alexander and Martin Roberts, others have included former footballer Dion Dublin			Homes Under the Hammer
Channel 5, 2005 to date: Ruth Watson (series 1–3) and Alex Polizzi (series 4 onwards) are or were			The Hotel Inspector
Channel 4, 2003–9: lifestyle programme, presented by Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie			How Clean Is Your House?
BBC arts programme, from 2003: presented and produced by Alan Yentob; shares its title with a John Lennon album and its title song			Imagine
1979: the first series of David Attenborough's 'Life' programmes, which established him as television's foremost naturalist and an iconic figure in British cultural life			Life on Earth
Channel 4, 2001–: presenters Phil Spencer, Kirstie Allsopp			Location * 3
BBC wildlife documentary series, 1955–81, presented by Peter Scott			Look
Long–running BBC series of current affairs documentaries (1965–81): Desmond Wilcox was a series editor and reporter, Esther Rantzen was another reporter; they married in 1977			Man Alive
Discovery documentary, 2005–6, showing a year at Norland College			Nanny School
The world's longest–running news programme (BBC1, since 1953)			Panorama
Aujourd'hui c'est toi, composed by Francis Lai, is the theme tune (since 1969) of
BBC, 2017 to date: filmed at the Weald and Downland Living Museum; "stars" include Jay Blades, Dominic Chinea, Will Kirk, and brother and sister Steve and Suzie Fletcher			The Repair Shop
Said to be referred to in broadcasting circles as "Corgi and Bess"			Queen's Christmas Message
BBC documentary series, 1980: presented by art critic Robert Hughes, addressing the development of modern art since the Impressionists; widely praised for its combination of insight, wit and accessibility			The Shock of the New
BBC2, 1978 to date: theme tune is Pop Looks Bach (composed by Sam Fonteyn, and recorded in 1970)			Ski Sunday
Theme tune is an extract from At the Castle Gate – the first movement of Sibelius' incidental music to Maeterlinck's play Pelléas et Mélisande			The Sky at Night
The world's longest run with the same original presenter
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Variation on Paganini's Caprice No. 24: theme tune to			The South Bank Show
Channel 4, 2014–: features the work of Professor Noel Fitzpatrick in Eashing, near Guildford, Surrey			The Supervet
Started in 1977; early presenters included Noel Edmonds, Angela Rippon and William Woollard			Top Gear
Theme tune is Jessica (originally by the Allman Brothers, but now remixed)
Peter Jay, Brian Walden and Matthew Parris have all presented			Weekend World
ITV, 1973–4: produced by Jeremy Isaacs, narrated by Laurence Olivier, included music composed by Carl Davis; the most expensive factual series ever made, up to the time of its completion – costing £900,000			The World at War
BBC  nature documentary series, 1954–63: the first major series to feature David Attenborough			Zoo Quest

Michael Palin's travel programmes

1989		Around the World in 80 Days
1992		Pole to Pole (following the 30 degree line of longitude as closely as possible)
1997		Full Circle (circumnavigating the shores of the Pacific Ocean, anti–clockwise, starting on Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait; due to bad weather, he failed by two miles to complete the circle)
1999		Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure (USA, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean)
2002		Sahara
2004		Himalaya
2007		New Europe
2012		Brazil

Presenters (long–running series)

This Is Your Life

This Is Your Life was on BBC from 1955 to 1963, ITV from 1969 to 1994, and BBC1 from 1995 to 2003. ITV also screened a one–off special in 2007 (see below).

1955–64, 1969–87		Eamonn Andrews
1987–2003		Michael Aspel

2007 special:

Presenter		Trevor McDonald
Subject		Simon Cowell

The Antiques Roadshow (BBC1)

1979 (briefly – male)		Bruce Parker
1979 (briefly – female)		Angela Rippon
1979–83		Arthur Negus
1981–2000		Hugh Scully
2000–7		Michael Aspel
2008–		Fiona Bruce

The Film programme

1972–98		Barry Norman
1998–2010		Jonathan Ross
2011–		Claudia Winkleman (with Danny Leigh)

Gardeners' World (BBC2)

1968–9		Ken Burras
1969–76		Percy Thrower
1976–9		Arthur Billitt
1979–96		Geoff Hamilton
1980–2		Geoffrey Smith
1996–2002		Alan Titchmarsh
2002–2008		Monty Don
2008–10		Toby Buckland
2011 to date		Monty Don

Question Time (BBC1)

1979–89		Robin Day
1989–93		Peter Sissons
1994–2019		David Dimbleby
2019–		Fiona Bruce

Watchdog (BBC1)

1980–4		Hugh Scully
1985–6		Nick Ross		Lynn Faulds Wood
1986–93		Lynn Faulds Wood		John Stapleton
1993–9		Anne Robinson		Alice Beer
1999–2001				Charlotte Hudson
2001–5		Nicky Campbell		Kate Sanderson
2005–9				Julia Bradbury
2009–15		Anne Robinson
2015–16		Sophie Raworth

Various other presenters and reporters have appeared on Watchdog at different times. In particular:

First worked on Watchdog in 1996 as a reporter, when he wrote to the show about a fault with his mother's tumble drier and the producers asked him to present the report himself; became a co–presenter in 2009, and a lead presenter in 2016

Matt Allwright

Top Gear: 2016 version

You could argue that it's been a long time since Top Gear could have been considered a factual programme. On the other hand, some might argue that there's not much entertainment in it either. So where am I to put it?

I've put it on the Factual Television page, basically, for no better reason than because it complies with the theme of this section.

The current team (since 2019):

Motoring journalist: one of the original 2016 team; also presents Top Gear: Extra Gear		Chris Harris
Former England cricket star: joined in 2019		Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff
Comedian and broadcaster: joined in 2019		Paddy McGuinness

Others since 2016:

Television and radio personality: left after the 2016 series		Chris Evans
Former Friends actor: left after the 2019 series		Matt LeBlanc
German racing driver, nicknamed 'Queen of the Nürburgring': in 2004, she just failed to do a lap of the Nürburgring, in a Ford Transit, in less time than Jeremy Clarkson took in a Jaguar S–Type; still involved in 2020, but was never really a lead presenter. Died of cancer in 2021, aged 51		Sabine Schmitz
Former F1 team boss, and F1 pundit on both BBC and Channel 4: left after the 2018 series (also never really a lead presenter)		Eddie Jordan
Another motoring journalist: left after the 2019 series, but continued to present Top Gear: Extra Gear		Rory Reid

Miscellaneous

The BBC Natural History Unit is based in		Bristol
TV station founded by Ted Turner		CNN
Hospital featured in Animal Hospital		Harmsworth
Monty Don's Herefordshire garden, from which he has presented Gardeners' World since his return to the programme in 2011		Longmeadow
Ornate public building in Manchester, opened 1906 and closed 1993, won the first BBC TV Restoration series in 2003		Victoria Baths
Spy satellite project revealed by BBC and New Statesman in 1987		Zircon

© Haydn Thompson 2017–23