Sir Bill Cotton, former head of light entertainment at the BBC and controller of BBC One, has died aged 80.
Sir Bill Cotton, former head of light entertainment at the BBC and controller of BBC One, has died aged 80.
Sir Bill oversaw some of the BBC's most popular TV shows in the 1970s, including Monty Python's Flying Circus and Morecambe and Wise.
Sir Bill oversaw some of the BBC's most popular TV shows in the 1970s, including Monty Python's Flying Circus and Morecambe and Wise.
It is understood he died in a Bournemouth hospital.
It is understood he died in a Bournemouth hospital.
David Croft, writer of Dad's Army, paid tribute to Sir Bill, who retired in 1987, as the "master jeweller" in the "golden age" of television.
David Croft, writer of Dad's Army, paid tribute to Sir Bill, who retired in 1987, as the "master jeweller" in the "golden age" of television.
Sir Bill was the BBC's head of light entertainment between 1970 and 1977 and was also in charge of BBC One for four years.
Sir Bill was the BBC's head of light entertainment between 1970 and 1977 and was also in charge of BBC One for four years.
He also served as the BBC's managing director of television and was awarded the Academy Fellowship by Bafta in 1998.
He also served as the BBC's managing director of television and was awarded the Academy Fellowship by Bafta in 1998.
He was responsible for what I think was the golden age of BBC television which we'll never have again Bruce Forsyth
He was responsible for what I think was the golden age of BBC television which we'll never have again Bruce Forsyth
Speaking in 2000, Sir Bill said light entertainment on television formed part of the nation's culture.
Speaking in 2000, Sir Bill said light entertainment on television formed part of the nation's culture.
"Basically, fundamentally, television was a performer's medium and news and current affairs were the sideshow.
"Basically, fundamentally, television was a performer's medium and news and current affairs were the sideshow.
"One of the reasons that I honestly believe that the care taken on light entertainment had to be the same care as was taken for ballet, or opera, or serious drama, is because you are contributing to the culture of the country. I think it's sad if it isn't."
"One of the reasons that I honestly believe that the care taken on light entertainment had to be the same care as was taken for ballet, or opera, or serious drama, is because you are contributing to the culture of the country. I think it's sad if it isn't."
Unique talent
Unique talent
Entertainer Bruce Forsyth said Sir Bill was "a very dear friend".
Entertainer Bruce Forsyth said Sir Bill was "a very dear friend".
Mr Forsyth said: "It's a very sad day to lose him. He knew about the business. He knew about television.
Mr Forsyth said: "It's a very sad day to lose him. He knew about the business. He knew about television.
"He was responsible for what I think was the golden age of BBC television which we'll never have again.
"He was responsible for what I think was the golden age of BBC television which we'll never have again.
"He knew what the public wanted, and he gave the public what they wanted.
"He knew what the public wanted, and he gave the public what they wanted.
Bruce Forsyth pays tribute to his friend and former employer Sir Bill Cotton
Bruce Forsyth pays tribute to his friend and former employer Sir Bill Cotton
"He knew how to treat performers. He knew how to talk to them, how to get them to do things even if they didn't want to. He talked them into it because he knew it would be good for them."
"He knew how to treat performers. He knew how to talk to them, how to get them to do things even if they didn't want to. He talked them into it because he knew it would be good for them."
Mr Croft said there had been opposition to creating his comedy show about the Home Guard during World War II because of fears it would cause offence.
Mr Croft said there had been opposition to creating his comedy show about the Home Guard during World War II because of fears it would cause offence.
"Without him I don't think the show would have gone on. He undoubtedly had a nose for a hit," Mr Croft said.
"Without him I don't think the show would have gone on. He undoubtedly had a nose for a hit," Mr Croft said.
"He was a wonderful showman and a great believer in his producers and he backed us absolutely to the hilt.
"He was a wonderful showman and a great believer in his producers and he backed us absolutely to the hilt.
"He was an entrepreneur, he was a showman, and there's not many of his type about any more, I'm afraid. We shall miss him terribly. I loved him."
"He was an entrepreneur, he was a showman, and there's not many of his type about any more, I'm afraid. We shall miss him terribly. I loved him."
Did you work with or ever meet Bill Cotton? Do you have any memories to share? Send us your comments using the form below:
Here are some of your memories of Sir Bill Cotton. You can send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
I didn't know Sir Bill. I never met Sir Bill, but his work brought seemingly endless joy and laughter into my life. I naively assumed it would always be that way. There's no need for rose-tinted nostalgia here. William Frederick Cotton really did deliver a golden age of British telly, and God bless him for that. Steve, Cardiff
I had the privilege of meeting Sir Billy at the BBC Open University studios back in the early 80s. I was on contract and he came to give us a talk about what was happening at the Beeb. He was a most charming man and was eager to answer every question however trivial. He had a great presence and something I have treasured from my time at the Beeb. Anne Eames, Langwarrin, Australia
I remember as a child listening to Billy Cotton's Band Show, and heard Bill Cotton Junior's dad bring good family entertainment to all in my early years. His son carried on the flag and brought the same family entertainment to TV. It is the end of an era. I read Bruce Forsyth's comments, and agree with him. Bill Cotton's like will never be seen again. John, Chorley
I have a copy of a Reith lecture he once gave. In this he was spot on about how British public service broadcasting gave the British and the world a quality and type of comedy that we would be sadly without if we did not have the BBC. It nurtured the nature of British light entertainment as peculiarly different from the American Brand. His influence in this, from Morecambe and Wise etc to the present day still stands. Let's hope it can stand a little longer. Ian Scattergood, Gillingham, Dorset
I met Bill Cotton at a BBC open day at Television Centre in 1986. He had time for anybody who spoke to him - a really genuine people person. Thanks for your contribution to the Golden Age of Television. Richard Thorn, Liphook, Hampshire
I met Sir Bill at the funeral of Ernie Wise in 1999. Sir Bill was a lovely man and I spent ages talking to him about comedy and Morecambe and Wise. His passing is a very sad loss to the television industry. He was instrumental in bringing us some of the finest comedy acts which were ever saw. God bless you Sir Bill. Peter Sims, Slough, UK
