Brian Redhead
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Brian Redhead (28 December 1929 - 23 January 1994) was a British author, journalist and broadcaster. He was probably best known as a co-presenter of The Today Programme on BBC Radio 4 which he worked on from 1975 until 1993, shortly before his his death. He was a great lover and promoter of the city of Manchester where he lived and worked for many years.
Biography
Brian Redhead was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was educated at Downing College, Cambridge.
His career in journalism started in 1954 as a journalist for the Manchester Guardian newspaper. Later in his career he worked as editor of the Manchester Evening News. He joined Today after being passed over for the editorship of The Guardian in favour of Peter Preston.
During his time on the Today programme, Redhead was famously accused of political bias by Conservative Chancellor Nigel Lawson, and in reply demanded that Lawson "apologise for daring to suggest that you know how I vote." He later had a similar set-to with Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Lilley.
The death of Redhead's son in a car crash in 1982 led him to rediscover religious faith, and he became a confirmed member of the Church of England. In the last years of his life there was some speculation after his retirement from Today he would train for ordination as an Anglican priest.
In 1993 his health started to fail and he was in pain on his left side and leg. He was thought to need hip surgery, but in fact had a ruptured appendix which was leaking toxins, causing liver and kidney failure and other problems. He took leave from Today in early December, expecting to return after Christmas, but never returned, dying in January 1994.
Books by Brian Redhead
- Brian Redhead Manchester - a Celebration. André Deutsch Limited, London. ISBN 0233988165
- Brian Redhead Personal Perspectives. Haper Collins Publishers January, 1996 Hardcover ISBN 0006386857
- Brian Redhead Plato to NATO: Studies on political thought. Penguin Books 23 February, 1995 ISBN 0140246770
External links
- Radio Hall of Fame: Brian Redhead (http://www.radioacademy.org/halloffame/redhead_b/)
- Manchester Celebrities: Brian Redhead (http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/celebs/broadcasters2.html)