Sir Paul Fox dead aged 98: BBC legend dies after stellar career on Dad’s Army & The Two Ronnies in ‘TV’s golden era’
A BBC legend who helped create the 'golden era' of television has sadly died aged 98.
Sir Paul Fox was a beloved TV executive behind several iconic shows such as Dad’s Army and The Two Ronnies.
In a statement, BBC Director General paid tribute to Sir Paul's "towering career in television – not just with the BBC – but across the industry".
He wrote: "Few people have had such a broad and lasting impact on the TV landscape, commissioning shows that audiences have loved for decades and still love.
"From Sports Personality of the Year and Panorama to the Two Ronnies, Dad’s Army and Parkinson, his legacy is unmatched.
"He was one of the best TV executives from a golden era in television. He will be hugely missed."
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Sir Paul was born in 1925 and joined the BBC in the 1950s as a newsreel scriptwriter.
He then rose up the ranks and began editing round-up show Sportsview, and popular news investigation programme Panorama.
At this time, the TV legend came up with the idea of BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.
He was also a founding editor of sports show Grandstand and a controller of BBC One.
Sir Paul held this title for six years - one of the longest tenures of a BBC Channel Controller.
During time in this role he oversaw the launch of the beloved Dad's Army franchise, as well as the transition of BBC One into colour.
He was responsible for commissioning The Two Ronnies, Bruce Forsyth, the Generation Game and the Parkinson Talk show in the early 70s.
Later in his stellar career, Sir Paul earned himself the title of managing director of Yorkshire TV.
This ultimately became ITV Yorkshire from 1973 to 1988.
Sir Paul decided to go back to the BBC as managing director of network television.
The former BBC One controller retired in 1991 and in the same year was knighted for services to the TV industry.
The hailed executive became chairman of the Racecourse Association and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
