Sir Paul Fox, a TV executive who was behind several of the BBC’s most celebrated TV programmes including Dad’s Army and The Two Ronnies, has died aged 98.
The broadcaster was informed of Sir Paul’s death by his family.
In a statement, BBC Director General paid tribute to the former BBC1 Controller’s enduring legacy, outlining that he had a ‘towering career in television – not just with the BBC – but across the industry’.
‘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,’ Davie said.
‘From Sports Personality of the Year and Panorama to the Two Ronnies, Dad’s Army and Parkinson, his legacy is unmatched.’
The BBC boss continued: ‘He was one of the best TV executives from a golden era in television. He will be hugely missed.’
Born on October 27 1925, before launching his career in television, Sir Paul served in the Parachute Regiment of the Army between 1943 and 1946.
He joined the BBC in the 1950s, working as a newsreel scriptwriter.
He went on to edit the TV programmes Sportsview and Panorama, before coming up with the idea for Sports Personality of the Year.
After SPOTY began 70 years ago in 1954, Sir Paul became the Controller of BBC1 between 1967 and 1973.
During that time, he launched the iconic TV series Dad’s Army, which ran from 1968 until 1977, and saw two films released in 1971 and 2016.
More to follow.
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