No question of Melvyn Bragg’s durability | Letters

Retired TV critic Richard Last recalls Bragg’s ambitious plan to bring culture to ITV viewers, and his South Bank Show reviews

Thank you for the unexpected mention in Sam Wollaston’s piece on the 40th anniversary of The South Bank Show (Melvyn has brought his trumpet and he’s going to jolly well blow it, 15& January).

I& am indeed still around, just about, though I retired from regular TV reviewing for the Daily Telegraph more than 20 years ago. I clearly remember interviewing Melvyn& Bragg about his ambitious plan to bring culture in its broadest form to the attention of ITV viewers. I& must have been about 50 at the time and Melvyn was remarkably young to undertake such a mission.

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