The BBC is throwing a big party next month to mark Jonathan Dimbleby’s 25th anniversary as chairman of Radio 4’s Any Questions? It is being given on December 3 at Broadcasting House. The official party giver is Graham Ellis, head of audio and music production, but it is thought Lord Patten, chair of the BBC Trust, and BBC director-general George Entwistle may attend.
One insider speculates that by giving Dimbleby such a big do, the corporation may be hinting that this would be a good time to hang up the mic. Dimbleby, 68, has already given up Any Answers?, which is now hosted by Anita Anand.
Any Questions? is not as fun a job as it looks. It involves a lot of travelling as the show comes from a different location every week and the BBC insists every region is visited. It is also live, which means a good ear for libel and balance is essential.
Jeremy Paxman has in the past complained of a Dimbleby mafia at the Beeb. “It is part of the constitution in this country that all major events have to be presented by a Dimbleby,” he once said. Maybe that constitution is about to be rewritten.
