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David Dimbleby rebukes 'sneering' John Humphrys in interview David Dimbleby chides John Humphrys over 'posh' jibe in interview
(35 minutes later)
David Dimbleby took umbrage when he was described as being posh by BBC Radio 4 host John Humphrys.David Dimbleby took umbrage when he was described as being posh by BBC Radio 4 host John Humphrys.
Dimbleby, who was guest-editing the Today programme on Saturday morning, responded sharply when he was asked about his views on the monarchy.Dimbleby, who was guest-editing the Today programme on Saturday morning, responded sharply when he was asked about his views on the monarchy.
Humphrys said he imagined Dimbleby had been “quite close to” the Windsors over the years, given the number of royal occasions he had covered and the fact that he is “quite posh”.Humphrys said he imagined Dimbleby had been “quite close to” the Windsors over the years, given the number of royal occasions he had covered and the fact that he is “quite posh”.
“Sorry John, there’s a typical sneer in that question,” Dimbleby fired back. “You’re quite posh, I’m about as posh as you are. I come from Wales, you do. I’m not posh, I happen to have been a broadcaster for a long time.”“Sorry John, there’s a typical sneer in that question,” Dimbleby fired back. “You’re quite posh, I’m about as posh as you are. I come from Wales, you do. I’m not posh, I happen to have been a broadcaster for a long time.”
“You had a very distinguished father,” Humphrys retorted, referring to Richard Dimbleby OBE MBE, a leading news commentator for the BBC during the 1950s.“You had a very distinguished father,” Humphrys retorted, referring to Richard Dimbleby OBE MBE, a leading news commentator for the BBC during the 1950s.
“Well, that doesn’t make me posh, I had a distinguished father, that’s a ridiculous question,” Dimbleby demurred. “No, but the point is about the monarchy. I’m not close to the monarchy, I’ve met the Queen probably less often than you. I’ve met her once, I think. I have no connection at all.”“Well, that doesn’t make me posh, I had a distinguished father, that’s a ridiculous question,” Dimbleby demurred. “No, but the point is about the monarchy. I’m not close to the monarchy, I’ve met the Queen probably less often than you. I’ve met her once, I think. I have no connection at all.”
How does David Dimbleby react when John Humphrys calls him "posh"? #r4today pic.twitter.com/DQ3X4vKJnYHow does David Dimbleby react when John Humphrys calls him "posh"? #r4today pic.twitter.com/DQ3X4vKJnY
“I don’t know why I made that assumption,” Humphrys said, before going on to question Dimbleby on what he thinks of the monarchy.“I don’t know why I made that assumption,” Humphrys said, before going on to question Dimbleby on what he thinks of the monarchy.
David Dimbleby says goodbye after 25 years on Question TimeDavid Dimbleby says goodbye after 25 years on Question Time
Dimbleby replied: “I think that the politics of the monarchy is fascinating, and the way that after Queen Victoria’s reign, Edward VII, George V, was repositioned. You have to reposition the institution.”Dimbleby replied: “I think that the politics of the monarchy is fascinating, and the way that after Queen Victoria’s reign, Edward VII, George V, was repositioned. You have to reposition the institution.”
Asked what question he would ask himself in an interview, Dimbleby said: “Ever think of stopping? And I’d say ‘No, I just love asking questions, I’m not sure I like answering them.”Asked what question he would ask himself in an interview, Dimbleby said: “Ever think of stopping? And I’d say ‘No, I just love asking questions, I’m not sure I like answering them.”
Humphrys thanked Dimbleby for guest-editing the Today programme, and noted that he is “positively not posh”.Humphrys thanked Dimbleby for guest-editing the Today programme, and noted that he is “positively not posh”.
In the interview, the recently departed Question Time presenter revealed his previous attempts to assume high positions at the national broadcaster.In the interview, the recently departed Question Time presenter revealed his previous attempts to assume high positions at the national broadcaster.
“I twice tried to become director general and I once tried to become chairman,” said Dimbleby.“I twice tried to become director general and I once tried to become chairman,” said Dimbleby.
Asked whether the BBC is doing what it should be now, Dimbleby said: “I think its a brilliant organisation, I still think it … has far too many management people in it, and not enough people like you and Mishal [Husain]. I think the business of cutting back the bureaucracy is really important.”Asked whether the BBC is doing what it should be now, Dimbleby said: “I think its a brilliant organisation, I still think it … has far too many management people in it, and not enough people like you and Mishal [Husain]. I think the business of cutting back the bureaucracy is really important.”
The BBC has "far too many management people", says David Dimbleby #r4today pic.twitter.com/uCa4Ch77tRThe BBC has "far too many management people", says David Dimbleby #r4today pic.twitter.com/uCa4Ch77tR
David DimblebyDavid Dimbleby
John HumphrysJohn Humphrys
BBCBBC
Question TimeQuestion Time
Radio 4Radio 4
MonarchyMonarchy
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