BBC Radio 3 and World Service presenter Charlie Gillett has died after a long illness, aged 68. Known as a champion of world music, the Lancashire-born broadcaster passed away in a London hospital on Wednesday, his family has confirmed. He contracted an autoimmune disease, and last week suffered a heart attack. Gillett is credited with discovering Dire Straits in 1976 after playing Sultans of Swing from their demo tape on his Radio London show Honky Tonk. 'Sorely missed' He also wrote an acclaimed history of rock'n'roll, The Sound of the City, in the 1970s. World Service director Peter Horrocks said he was an inspiration whose spirit of adventure and passion for the rich diversity of global music opened the ears of the world. "His broadcasts brought together music and radio fans from far flung corners of the globe," he said. "His postbag was one of the biggest, most affectionate and diverse in Bush House, which confirmed his special place in listener's lives. He was a very special broadcaster and he will be sorely missed." Gillett stood down from his regular slot on Radio 3's World on 3 for health reasons two months ago, with fellow presenters Lopa Kothari and Mary Ann Kennedy covering.
The station's controller, Roger Wright, said at the time: "Radio 3 has always valued Charlie's immense knowledge and passion for world music which has been much enjoyed by listeners." Gillett, who was born in Morecambe and brought up in Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, discovered several stars of world music while on Radio London. They include Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita, and the young singer of Portuguese fado music, Mariza. In the mid-70s he formed a partnership with his dentist and went on to manage Kilburn and the High Roads, whose lead singer was Ian Dury. Notable successes on his label and publishing company, Oval Music, were Lene Lovich's Lucky Number and Paul Hardcastle's number one hit 19. The DJ also turned down an offer to present BBC Two's live music show The Old Grey Whistle Test. In 1979 he moved to commercial station Capital Radio, where he began to feature music from around the world. More recently he appeared on BBC London. He was known to millions of listeners for his World Service programme Charlie Gillett's World of Music. He is survived by his wife Buffy, their daughters Suzy and Jody, their son Ivan, and two grandchildren. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk | |||
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
BBC Radio 3 and World Service DJ Charlie Gillett dies
Thursday, February 05, 2009
BBC World Service's "World Agenda"
After stop of the BBC "On Air" magazine, now BBC World Service send the 28 pages "World Agenda" (A4 Size) magazine to their listeners / Government / diplomatic services / Media / culture / Business and trade / Development agencies / NGOs and Education / research people.
To request a free copy of World Agenda or confirm your mailing details complete the form in the following link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/worldagenda/registration_form.shtml (Jaisakthivel, ADXC, Chennai, India)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
BBC RADIO PLAYWRITING COMPETITION 2009
The British Council in collaboration with the BBC World Service has launched the International Radio Playwriting Competition 2009. Applicants are invited to write an original and unpublished radio play in English of approximately 60 minutes in length, on a subject of their choice. Click here for more information. http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-arts-playwriting-competition.htm
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
BBC chief appointed new Plan CEO
Plan has appointed Nigel Chapman, the current Director of BBC World Service, as its new chief executive officer. Nigel brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of global, multi-ethnic, and culturally diverse organisations.
He has worked for the BBC for more than 20 years and held senior management and editorial posts in television, radio and online, many with a strong emphasis on news and current affairs.
As Director of BBC World Service, he is responsible for the overall editorial leadership and management of the world's leading international radio broadcaster, BBC Arabic TV and its new media operations.
In addition to his World Service role, Nigel is also Chair of the BBC World Service Trust - the World Service's charitable arm, which uses communications and new technologies to aid development in some of the world's poorest countries.
Plan support
Nigel is also no stranger to Plan. He has spent over 6 years working at the highest levels of the international Board and Members Assembly. He is currently the Chair of the UK National Organisation.
Paul Arlman, Chairman of Plan’s International Board said: “We are delighted to have someone with such a demonstrated dedication to international co-operation, combined with a great interest in the fate of children and enormous management experience in a complex organisation. Nigel will be a great asset and inspirational leader for the organisation.”
Nigel Chapman, who is married with 2 children, said: “I am delighted to be joining Plan Inter
national as its CEO. I know from my visits to see its work first hand, and my time as Chair of the UK Trustees, that Plan has a wonderful reputation for working with millions of the world’s poorest children and their communities and helping them escape poverty. It will be a privilege to lead the Plan team to what we all hope will be a new level of impact and achievement.”
Biographies
As Director of BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman is responsible for the overall editorial leadership and management of the world's leading international radio broadcaster and its new media operations.He has worked for the BBC for more than 20 years.
He has held senior management and editorial posts in television, radio and online, many with a strong emphasis on news and current affairs.
After joining the BBC as a trainee in 1977 he later produced and edited high-profile current affairs television programmes, including Nationwide, Newsnight (where he worked on the first evening programme in 1980) and Breakfast News.
In 1989 Nigel Chapman became the first Editor of Public Eye - the BBC specialist weekly programme on social policy issues.
He edited the series for almost three years until moving to the BBC's south region as Head of Centre, South East at Elstree in March 1992, where he was responsible for local television and radio, current affairs and political output in London and the South East.
In 1994, he was appointed Head of Broadcasting, Midlands and East, based at Pebble Mill, Birmingham.
In November, 1996, Nigel Chapman was appointed Controller, BBC English Regions, responsible for all regional television and local radio programmes across England.
In January 1999, he became the first ever Director of BBC Online, with responsibility for the development of the UK's most popular content website.
In September 2000, he was appointed Deputy Director of BBC World Service.
In that post he had responsibility for relations with the Foreign Office, strategy, multi-media, press, public affairs, marketing and legal affairs.
He deputised for the Director of BBC World Service across the full range of his functions.
He was Acting Director of the World Service from January 2004 to his current appointment in July 2004.
He is also Chair of the World Service Trust - the World Service's charitable arm, which uses communications to aid development in some of the world's poorest countries.
Nigel Chapman is married with two children and lives in Oxford.