BBC veteran Sir Charles Wheeler dies at 85
Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died of lung cancer. He was 85.
Sir Charles was chief US correspondent from 1969 to 1973, when he was made Europe correspondent.
In the 1950s, he worked as a correspondent in Germany and South Asia.
In the US, Sir Charles covered the assassination of Martin Luther King, Beatlemania, and Watergate.
He also worked for Newsnight for 15 years and was a Panorama producer.
Sir Charles made his name while in Delhi, covering the Dalai Lama's flight from Tibet.
The journalist, who was born a year after the BBC was founded, was critical of the cult of personality in TV news journalism.
Today BBC director general Mark Thompson described Sir Charles as "utterly irreplaceable".
He said: "To audiences and to his colleagues alike, Charles Wheeler was simply a legend.
"His integrity, his authority and his humanity graced the BBC's airwaves over many decades.
"He is utterly irreplaceable but like everyone else, I am privileged to have worked with him."
The BBC said Sir Charles died at his home this morning.
Deputy BBC Director General and Head of BBC Journalism Mark Byford said: "Charles was, in my view, the greatest broadcast journalist of his generation.
"Courageous, insightful and always curious, he had the truly outstanding gift for vivid, beautiful writing matched by a quite extraordinary skill for using pictures and sound to convey the power of his own eye witness reportage.
"As a journalist you saw him as the pinnacle of our profession. His death is a huge loss but his legacy will last forever."
Radio 4 Controller Mark Damazer said: "Charles Wheeler embodied all that is best in the BBC's journalism.
"He had a brilliant eye and an unequalled ability to convey what he saw and what he knew.
"His work for Radio 4 over the last decade demonstrated his astonishing range - dealing with central and eastern Europe - but also, and superbly, with the legacy at home of World War Two.
"The documentary series Coming Home in 2005 was the Radio 4 highlight that year.
"He was working for Radio 4 almost until he died, on a programme about the Dalai Lama.
"Everything he did was shot through with his compassion and wisdom. He was magnificent."
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Posted by: Wilhelm on 12:46pm Fri 4 Jul 08
He looked a bit like Rudolf Hess.
"Courageous, insightful and always curious''
You mean nosey.
He said: "To audiences and to his colleagues alike, Charles Wheeler was simply a legend.''
Yeah, he was just like Mother Teresa.
Radio 4 Controller Mark Damazer said: "Charles Wheeler embodied all that is best in the BBC's journalism.
He was just another God damm liberal, working at the BBC.
He looked a bit like Rudolf Hess.
"Courageous, insightful and always curious''
You mean nosey.
He said: "To audiences and to his colleagues alike, Charles Wheeler was simply a legend.''
Yeah, he was just like Mother Teresa.
Radio 4 Controller Mark Damazer said: "Charles Wheeler embodied all that is best in the BBC's journalism.
He was just another God damm liberal, working at the BBC.
Posted by: Wilhelm on 12:55pm Fri 4 Jul 08
"He is utterly irreplaceable but like everyone else, I am privileged to have worked with him."
He will be forgotten about in 5 seconds. Who remembers Rene Cutforth.
"As a journalist you saw him as the pinnacle of our profession. His death is a huge loss but his legacy will last forever."
Yeah, we will be talking about him in 2000 years time, just like Jesus Christ.
"He is utterly irreplaceable but like everyone else, I am privileged to have worked with him."
He will be forgotten about in 5 seconds. Who remembers Rene Cutforth.
"As a journalist you saw him as the pinnacle of our profession. His death is a huge loss but his legacy will last forever."
Yeah, we will be talking about him in 2000 years time, just like Jesus Christ.
Posted by: George Laird, Glasgow on 2:52pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Dear All
"Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died of lung cancer. He was 85".
I have to say that this is sorry news, Charles Wheeler represented all that was best in BBC reporting.
Wilhelm makes the point he will be forgotten in 5 seconds, it is obvious that Wilhelm doesn't appreciate the golden days of bbc reporting.
His name and his reputation will stand out for a lot longer then 5 seconds.
He ranks along side John Pilger as a reporter who made a difference.
Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Dear All
"Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died of lung cancer. He was 85".
I have to say that this is sorry news, Charles Wheeler represented all that was best in BBC reporting.
Wilhelm makes the point he will be forgotten in 5 seconds, it is obvious that Wilhelm doesn't appreciate the golden days of bbc reporting.
His name and his reputation will stand out for a lot longer then 5 seconds.
He ranks along side John Pilger as a reporter who made a difference.
Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 3:26pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]George Laird[/bold] wrote:
Dear All "Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died of lung cancer. He was 85". I have to say that this is sorry news, Charles Wheeler represented all that was best in BBC reporting. Wilhelm makes the point he will be forgotten in 5 seconds, it is obvious that Wilhelm doesn't appreciate the golden days of bbc reporting. His name and his reputation will stand out for a lot longer then 5 seconds. He ranks along side John Pilger as a reporter who made a difference. Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is? Yours sincerely George Laird The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University[/quote] Never heard of the bloke.
Who is he?
Or am I too young to remember?
George Laird wrote:
Dear All "Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died of lung cancer. He was 85". I have to say that this is sorry news, Charles Wheeler represented all that was best in BBC reporting. Wilhelm makes the point he will be forgotten in 5 seconds, it is obvious that Wilhelm doesn't appreciate the golden days of bbc reporting. His name and his reputation will stand out for a lot longer then 5 seconds. He ranks along side John Pilger as a reporter who made a difference. Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is? Yours sincerely George Laird The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Never heard of the bloke.
Who is he?
Or am I too young to remember?
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 3:26pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]George Laird[/bold] wrote:
Dear All "Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died of lung cancer. He was 85". I have to say that this is sorry news, Charles Wheeler represented all that was best in BBC reporting. Wilhelm makes the point he will be forgotten in 5 seconds, it is obvious that Wilhelm doesn't appreciate the golden days of bbc reporting. His name and his reputation will stand out for a lot longer then 5 seconds. He ranks along side John Pilger as a reporter who made a difference. Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is? Yours sincerely George Laird The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University[/quote] Never heard of the bloke.
Who is he?
Or am I too young to remember?
George Laird wrote:
Dear All "Sir Charles Wheeler, one of the BBC's longest-serving and most popular foreign correspondents, has died of lung cancer. He was 85". I have to say that this is sorry news, Charles Wheeler represented all that was best in BBC reporting. Wilhelm makes the point he will be forgotten in 5 seconds, it is obvious that Wilhelm doesn't appreciate the golden days of bbc reporting. His name and his reputation will stand out for a lot longer then 5 seconds. He ranks along side John Pilger as a reporter who made a difference. Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is? Yours sincerely George Laird The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Never heard of the bloke.
Who is he?
Or am I too young to remember?
Posted by: Wilhelm on 4:53pm Fri 4 Jul 08
George says
''Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?''
Do you know who Rene Cutforth is ?
George says
''Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?''
Do you know who Rene Cutforth is ?
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 4:59pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Wilhelm[/bold] wrote:
George says ''Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?'' Do you know who Rene Cutforth is ?[/quote] Could you expand on that Wilhelm.
Wilhelm wrote:
George says ''Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?'' Do you know who Rene Cutforth is ?
Could you expand on that Wilhelm.
Posted by: Charles McGrory, Glasgow on 5:06pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Perhaps before some speak, they might add some content to their views.
Here is some content: over Wheeler's life:
As a boy in Germany under Hitler:
He occasionally used to take bread to Jewish neighbours hiding out in the woods and his experience of totalitarian rule engendered a profound sympathy for the underdog.
joining the Royal Marines in 1942.
He became part of a team led by Ian Fleming which collected technical intelligence ahead of the Allied invasion of Europe and he took part in the D-Day landings
His team had Panorama's only portable camera, which he'd been forbidden to take into Hungary. Charles ignored the instruction and captured moving interviews with a population which believed it had thrown off the Soviet yoke
End of the first Gulf War, Wheeler went in to uncover the torture of Palestinians, gate crashing a hospital to confront Kuwaiti medical staff.
He famously punctured the pomposity of the then deputy director general, John Birt, whose torrent of management speak ground to a halt after Sir Charles deftly questioned his plans for BBC News
He went back on the attack in 2000 after declaring that the BBC had "lost its way with news" and had become too tabloid and obsessed with the cult of personality.
Make your own mind up.
PS This from BBC Website.
Perhaps before some speak, they might add some content to their views.
Here is some content: over Wheeler's life:
As a boy in Germany under Hitler:
He occasionally used to take bread to Jewish neighbours hiding out in the woods and his experience of totalitarian rule engendered a profound sympathy for the underdog.
joining the Royal Marines in 1942.
He became part of a team led by Ian Fleming which collected technical intelligence ahead of the Allied invasion of Europe and he took part in the D-Day landings
His team had Panorama's only portable camera, which he'd been forbidden to take into Hungary. Charles ignored the instruction and captured moving interviews with a population which believed it had thrown off the Soviet yoke
End of the first Gulf War, Wheeler went in to uncover the torture of Palestinians, gate crashing a hospital to confront Kuwaiti medical staff.
He famously punctured the pomposity of the then deputy director general, John Birt, whose torrent of management speak ground to a halt after Sir Charles deftly questioned his plans for BBC News
He went back on the attack in 2000 after declaring that the BBC had "lost its way with news" and had become too tabloid and obsessed with the cult of personality.
Make your own mind up.
PS This from BBC Website.
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 5:09pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Charles McGrory[/bold] wrote:
Perhaps before some speak, they might add some content to their views. Here is some content: over Wheeler's life: As a boy in Germany under Hitler: He occasionally used to take bread to Jewish neighbours hiding out in the woods and his experience of totalitarian rule engendered a profound sympathy for the underdog. joining the Royal Marines in 1942. He became part of a team led by Ian Fleming which collected technical intelligence ahead of the Allied invasion of Europe and he took part in the D-Day landings His team had Panorama's only portable camera, which he'd been forbidden to take into Hungary. Charles ignored the instruction and captured moving interviews with a population which believed it had thrown off the Soviet yoke End of the first Gulf War, Wheeler went in to uncover the torture of Palestinians, gate crashing a hospital to confront Kuwaiti medical staff. He famously punctured the pomposity of the then deputy director general, John Birt, whose torrent of management speak ground to a halt after Sir Charles deftly questioned his plans for BBC News He went back on the attack in 2000 after declaring that the BBC had "lost its way with news" and had become too tabloid and obsessed with the cult of personality. Make your own mind up. PS This from BBC Website. [/quote] Thanks for that.
I genuinley had never heard of the fella.
Charles McGrory wrote:
Perhaps before some speak, they might add some content to their views. Here is some content: over Wheeler's life: As a boy in Germany under Hitler: He occasionally used to take bread to Jewish neighbours hiding out in the woods and his experience of totalitarian rule engendered a profound sympathy for the underdog. joining the Royal Marines in 1942. He became part of a team led by Ian Fleming which collected technical intelligence ahead of the Allied invasion of Europe and he took part in the D-Day landings His team had Panorama's only portable camera, which he'd been forbidden to take into Hungary. Charles ignored the instruction and captured moving interviews with a population which believed it had thrown off the Soviet yoke End of the first Gulf War, Wheeler went in to uncover the torture of Palestinians, gate crashing a hospital to confront Kuwaiti medical staff. He famously punctured the pomposity of the then deputy director general, John Birt, whose torrent of management speak ground to a halt after Sir Charles deftly questioned his plans for BBC News He went back on the attack in 2000 after declaring that the BBC had "lost its way with news" and had become too tabloid and obsessed with the cult of personality. Make your own mind up. PS This from BBC Website.
Thanks for that.
I genuinley had never heard of the fella.
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 5:28pm Fri 4 Jul 08
How can you not have heard of Charles Wheeler ?
I doubt very much if Wilhelm could read anything that John Pilger writes without exploding - please check him out Wullie.
ps game set and match to John J Sheridan on the other thread.
pps Rene Cutforth a tad predictable Wullie but congragulations on not mentioning Enoch.
How can you not have heard of Charles Wheeler ?
I doubt very much if Wilhelm could read anything that John Pilger writes without exploding - please check him out Wullie.
ps game set and match to John J Sheridan on the other thread.
pps Rene Cutforth a tad predictable Wullie but congragulations on not mentioning Enoch.
Posted by: Wilhelm on 5:47pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Mrs Odd says
pps Rene Cutforth a tad predictable
Dont try it with me, Mrs Odd, You dont know who Rene Cutforth is ?
Mrs Odd says
pps Rene Cutforth a tad predictable
Dont try it with me, Mrs Odd, You dont know who Rene Cutforth is ?
Posted by: Wilhelm on 5:50pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Mrs Odd says
How can you not have heard of Charles Wheeler ?
Well 2 billion Chinese have probably never heard of him for starters.
Mrs Odd says
How can you not have heard of Charles Wheeler ?
Well 2 billion Chinese have probably never heard of him for starters.
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 5:52pm Fri 4 Jul 08
I recalled that I had heard the name and looked him up. It is very unlikely that many readers will have to do that with Charles Wheeler.
He was Reynolds Cutforth, apparently.
I recalled that I had heard the name and looked him up. It is very unlikely that many readers will have to do that with Charles Wheeler.
He was Reynolds Cutforth, apparently.
Posted by: Charles McGrory, Glasgow on 7:40pm Fri 4 Jul 08
No problem Rab.
Thanks for your courtesy.
No problem Rab.
Thanks for your courtesy.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 8:48pm Fri 4 Jul 08
McGrory[quote]Here is some content: over Wheeler's life:[/quote] A first class journalist at a time when integrity, honesty, a humanity, an understanding of social history, observational skill, and modesty in communication, were a journalist's code of ethics.
McGrory
Here is some content: over Wheeler's life:
A first class journalist at a time when integrity, honesty, a humanity, an understanding of social history, observational skill, and modesty in communication, were a journalist's code of ethics.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 8:51pm Fri 4 Jul 08
I should add, I was privileged as a youth to make friends with the great Scottish journalist, James Cameron. I always thought Wheeler was in the same mold but less memorable in prose style.
I should add, I was privileged as a youth to make friends with the great Scottish journalist, James Cameron. I always thought Wheeler was in the same mold but less memorable in prose style.
Posted by: Graham, Glasgow on 11:56pm Fri 4 Jul 08
LA,8:48PM. EXCELLENT comment. Why spoil it with your 8:51pm comment. It was not required.[bold]bold[/bold]
LA,8:48PM. EXCELLENT comment. Why spoil it with your 8:51pm comment. It was not required.
Posted by: Wilhelm on 12:50am Sat 5 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Rab Jones[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Wilhelm[/bold] wrote:
George says ''Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?'' Do you know who Rene Cutforth is ?[/quote] Could you expand on that Wilhelm.[/quote] Rene Cutforth was a BBC jounalist in the 1950s , 60s , 70s and early 80s. He's forgotten now and so will Charles Wheeler.
Rab Jones wrote:
Wilhelm wrote:
George says ''Does Wilhelm know who John Pilger is?'' Do you know who Rene Cutforth is ?
Could you expand on that Wilhelm.
Rene Cutforth was a BBC jounalist in the 1950s , 60s , 70s and early 80s. He's forgotten now and so will Charles Wheeler.
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