Reginald Bosanquet | |
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Born | Reginald Tindal Kennedy Bosanquet 9 August 1932 Chertsey, Surrey, England |
Died | 27 May 1984 Chelsea, London, England | (aged 51)
Resting place | Putney Vale Cemetery |
Education | Ashbury College Wellesley House School Winchester College |
Alma mater | New College, Oxford |
Occupation(s) | Journalist, presenter |
Known for | Presenter of ITN News at Ten |
Children | 2 |
Parent | Bernard Bosanquet (father) |
Reginald Tindal Kennedy Bosanquet (9 August 1932 – 27 May 1984) was a British journalist and broadcaster who was an anchor of the half-hour News at Ten bulletin for Independent Television News (ITN) from July 1967 to November 1979. He began working for ITN as a sub-editor in 1955 and was made a reporter two years later. Bosanquet served as ITN's diplomatic correspondent before joining the News at Ten team.
Early life and education
[edit]Bosanquet was born in Chertsey, Surrey, on 9 August 1932,[1] the only child of Bernard Bosanquet, the cricketer who invented the googly.[2] His mother, Margaret, was the daughter of the journalist Kennedy Jones.[3] Bosanquet was of Huguenot descent through two refugees who became financially successful silk merchants.[2] He became an orphan at the age of seven,[4] and was evacuated to Canada during the Second World War.[5]
In Canada, Bosanquet was educated at Ashbury College in Ottawa and then at Lower Canada College in Montreal.[6] Upon returning to England, he was taught at Wellesley House School,[7] before continuing his education at Winchester College.[1][5] Bosanquet won a scholarship to attend New College at the University of Oxford, where he read history.[6][8] He graduated with a second-class degree and did his two years of national service with the first battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps in Germany.[6]
Television
[edit]In 1955, after leaving Oxford, Bosanquet was encouraged to go into television by Lord Clark and Huw Wheldon.[3] He asked Independent Television News (ITN) for a job, telling them he wanted fame to which they replied that he could begin working for them as a tea-boy.[5][9] He was recruited by Aidan Crawley,[2] and soon became a sub-editor and was made a reporter in 1957.[8] Bosanquet worked on programmes such as Roving Report between 1957 and 1962, Dateline London from 1961 to 1962 and Dateline as a newsreader from 1962 to 1967.[1][5] In 1960, he was appointed ITN's diplomatic correspondent.[8] Bosanquet visited 52 countries in the course of his reporting career.[10]
Bosanquet was made one of the lead anchors of the half-hour ITV News at Ten nightly bulletin when it launched on 3 July 1967.[11] He often worked alongside Andrew Gardner, Leonard Parkin, Sandy Gall and, mostly late in his tenure, Alastair Burnet.[8] Bosanquet served as ITN's chief newsreader from 1974 to 1976,[1] but was suspended for a month by ITN editor Nigel Ryan in May 1976 following revelations about his marital troubles that were published in a Sunday newspaper.[12] He made his final on-screen appearance for ITN on 8 November 1979.[13] Bosanquet then resigned from ITN, amid claims and denials and rows in the studio but he explained that he no longer wanted to do the job.[3]
His partnership with Anna Ford on News at Ten was popular with viewers in the late 1970s. As Ford has since revealed, this rapport could prove distressing: on one occasion Bosanquet, having somehow discovered the birth-date of Ford's mother, wished her a "happy birthday" at the end of the broadcast, unaware that she had died some time previously.[14] Ford recalled in 2007: "Reggie was a dear. I mean, you wouldn't have chosen a man who had epilepsy, was an alcoholic, had had a stroke and wore a toupée to read the news, but the combination was absolute magic."[14]
Although held in considerable affection by the public (he was commonly addressed by family, friends and the media as "Reggie"), Bosanquet was not without his critics as a newsreader. At times he could appear puzzled by unfamiliar foreign names[1] while his trademark slurred delivery fed contemporary suspicions that he was a heavy drinker.[15] Such rumours became raw material for wags and comedy writers: Bosanquet acquired such nicknames as "Reginald Beaujolais", "Reginald Boozalot" and "Reginald Boozatten".[1]
Later career
[edit]In early 1980, he presented The Bosanquet View series of three special film reports entitled Divorce, The World of Gossip Columns and Tennis that were broadcast on the BBC1 programme Nationwide.[16][17] Bosanquet also made a second set of three film reports for Nationwide on fashion,[18] the aristocracy,[19] and wine that were shown later in the year.[20] In 1981, he appeared in a series of three television advertisements for orange juice that were filmed in Málaga.[21]
Bosanquet was elected the 110th rector of the University of Glasgow on 3 November 1980.[22] Illness prevented him from being more active in the role as he would have liked,[5] attending 10 out of the 35 University Court meetings held during his rectorship.[9] Bosanquet's three-year term ended on 5 March 1984.[23]
In 1980, Bosanquet "sang" (or, more accurately, narrated in the style of a newscast) the lyrics on the disco single "Dance with Me". It was voted no. 1 in the Bottom 30 by listeners of British DJ Kenny Everett.[24] His autobiography Let's Get Through Wednesday ghostwritten by Wallace Reyburn was published in September 1980.[25][26] Bosanquet was the author of the 1982 children's book Filboyd's Frogs.[27] In 1982, he took part in the production of a one-hour videotape called Private Spy containing explicit sex scenes.[28] Bosanquet was the patron of the Campaign for Equality in Divorce,[29] and was a member of the World Wildlife Fund's Administrative Panel.[30]
Personal life
[edit]He was married three times.[26] His first marriage was to the Norwegian Karin Lund on 2 April 1955 at St. Michael's Chester Square.[3][31] A second marriage followed with Felicity Fearnley-Whittingstall between August 1964 and 11 February 1975.[5][32] Although Bosanquet told an interviewer that he would not remarry,[3] his final marriage was to Joan Adams, whom he married at Chelsea Register Office on 23 August 1983.[33] Bosanquet had one child each from his first two marriages.[30]
In late 1978, a woman claimed that Bosanquet was the biological father of her third child.[34] Blood tests conducted in 1979 confirmed that he was not the child's father.[35] The case was dropped in March 1979.[36] Two years later, he was given a three-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 in costs on charges of being drunk and disorderly in James Street, Covent Garden.[37]
Bosanquet died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Chelsea on the evening of 27 May 1984 following a period of ill health.[26][38][39] His funeral took place privately at Putney, South London on 2 June,[40] and was cremated at Putney Vale Cemetery.[41] Bosanquet was given a memorial service attended by colleagues and family members at All Souls Church, Langham Place in Westminster on the afternoon of 4 July.[42][43]
In popular culture
[edit]Bosanquet is portrayed by Matthew Cottle in the 2022 miniseries Pistol.[44] A parody song was sung by actress Pamela Stephenson in season 1 episode 4 of the BBC comedy programme Not the Nine O'Clock News referencing him leaving his news reading role. A running gag in that and earlier episodes referenced his bouffant toupe.[45]
See also
[edit]- Baron Scales
- John Le Carre's autobiography
- Tyndall family
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Dyja, Eddie. "Bosanquet, Reginald (1932–1984)". BFI Screenonline. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Tilley, Augustus (29 May 1984). "Reggie Bosanquet pace-setter in TV broadcasting". The Daily Telegraph. p. 15. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e K., P. (29 May 1984). "Broadcaster with style of his own". The Guardian. p. 2. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Miller, Compton (1983). "Bosanquet, Reggie". Who's Really Who. London, England: Blond & Briggs. p. 26. ISBN 0-85634-150-9 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c d e f "Obituary: Reginald Bosanquet – Newscaster with gift of informality". The Times. No. 61844. 30 May 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via The Times Digital Archive.
- ^ a b c Bosanquet, Reginald; Reyburn, Wallace (1980). Let's Get Through Wednesday. London, England: Michael Joseph Ltd. pp. 40–51. ISBN 0-7181-1942-8 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Alumni". Wellesley House School. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Reginald Bosanquet". The Stage. 31 May 1984. p. 15. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Wintersgill, Donald (2001). "Newscaster who fascinated his viewers". Rectors of Glasgow University, 1820–2000. Glasgow, Scotland: University of Glasgow. pp. 197–199. ISBN 978-0-85261-732-8 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Davis, Anthony (1976). Television: Here is the News. London, England: Independent Television Publications Ltd. p. 79. ISBN 0-900-72758-6 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "TV Preview". Liverpool Daily Post. 3 July 1967. p. 4. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Atkinson, Peter (10 June 1976). "Bosanquet back on TV". Evening Standard. p. 8. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Passingham, Kenneth (1984). The Guinness Book of TV Facts and Feats. Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Limited. pp. 73–74. ISBN 0-85112-228-0 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b Bill Hagerty "Anna Ford: Try a little tenderness" Archived 24 December 2012 at archive.today, British Journalism Review 18:3, 2007, pp. 716
- ^ Evening Standard, 15 May 2000
- ^ "Rover Reggie is just rarin' to go..." Manchester Evening News. 10 January 1983. p. 11. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Reggie Bosanquet looks at divorce". Evening Sentinel. 31 January 1980. p. 2. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "TV". Birmingham Evening Mail. 24 April 1980. p. 3. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Briggs, Melvyn (1 May 1980). "Reginald plays the game of the name". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. p. 2. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nostalgic Look at War Years". Burton Mail. 8 May 1980. p. 15. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ellis, Marion (13 May 1981). "Reggie back on TV – with a juicy role". Evening Standard. p. 3. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bosanquet wins". The Daily Telegraph. 4 November 1980. p. 1. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Liberating Glasgow". The Daily Telegraph. 14 February 1984. p. 14. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Everett, Kenny. "The Bottom 30: 1980" Archived 25 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Capital Radio, 1980-04-04. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
- ^ Hildred, Stafford (13 September 1980). "Truth about Anna and 'Old Bean' Bosanquet". Birmingham Evening Mail. p. 4. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "A popular figure 'made for television'". Birmingham Post. 29 May 1984. p. 5. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Toadish trick?". Western Daily Press. 10 November 1982. p. 5. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Williams, Paul (13 March 1983). "Bosanquet defends work on sex video". The Sunday Telegraph. p. 3. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Davies, Nick (12 January 1980). "Playing ball with the Beeb". The Guardian. p. 3. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Curthoys, Alan; Doyle, John, eds. (1980). "Bosanquet, Reginald". Who's Who on Television: A Fully Illustrated Guide to 1,000 Best Known Faces on British Television. London, England: Independent Television Books. p. 34. ISBN 0-900727-71-3 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Mr. R. T. Bosanquet and Miss K. P. Lund". The Daily Telegraph. 21 April 1955. p. 8. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Newscaster Reginald Bosanquet divorced". Liverpool Daily Post. 21 February 1975. p. 5. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "It's wife No. 3 for Reggie". Western Daily Press. 24 August 1983. p. 2. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "I'm not baby's father says TV's Reggie". Liverpool Echo. 23 September 1978. p. 1. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Baby's Father 'Could Not be Bosanquet'". The Daily Telegraph. 7 February 1979. p. 3. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bosanquet libel writs". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 20 March 1979. p. 14. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Drunk Verdict on Bosanquet". The Daily Telegraph. 6 July 1981. p. 15. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Reggie". Transdiffusion. 10 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Bosanquet dies watching TV". The Daily Telegraph. 29 May 1984. p. 1. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bosanquet mourned". Grimsby Evening Telegraph. 2 June 1984. p. 3. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Notable Graves at Putney Vale Cemetery" (PDF). Wandsworth London Borough Council. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Farewell to Reggie, Old Bean". The Daily Telegraph. 5 July 1984. p. 8. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Barker, Dennis (5 July 1984). "Tributes to ITN's lovable blunder". The Guardian. p. 4. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Matthew Cottle". United Agents. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ Viner, Brian (2009). Nice to See It, To See It, Nice. Long Preston, England: Magna Large Print. pp. 167, 172. ISBN 978-0-7505-3215-0 – via Internet Archive.