David Hatch, RIP
13/06/2007 09:00 GMT

Posted by lisa

We're extremely sad to report that Sir David Hatch has passed away.  He's best known to Goodies fans as part of the cast of I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again along with Tim, Graeme, Bill, John Cleese and Jo Kendall.  David was also involved in the creation of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Here is the BBC Press release about this sad news:

Tributes to Sir David Hatch

Sir David Hatch, distinguished former Managing Director of BBC Network Radio, died last night after a long illness. He was 68-years-old.

David made his name performing alongside John Cleese and the Goodies team in the early Sixties with the Cambridge Footlights revue, then joining BBC Radio in 1964 as an actor and writer for I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.

In 1965, he was appointed as Radio Light Entertainment producer, devising and producing programmes such as Week Ending, Just A Minute and the radio versions of Doctor In The House and What Ho! Jeeves.

During his career at the BBC, David was Director of Radio Programmes, Controller of Radios 2 and 4 respectively, Head of Radio Light Entertainment, Radio Network Editor in Manchester and Executive Producer of Programme Development.

In 1987 he became Managing Director of Network Radio and in January 1993 was appointed Adviser to the Director-General.

He was knighted in 2004.

David Hatch was one of the greats of BBC Radio.

"He was a performer, a leader and an inspirer of people. He led the radio Light Entertainment department with verve and joy.


"He was a terrific Controller of both Radio 2 and Radio 4 and as Managing Director of BBC Radio he modernised and ensured that radio thrived in an increasingly competitive world.

"No one in BBC Radio has ever had such a wide ranging and successful career."


The story has also been reported by  BBC News:


Radio performer Hatch dies at 68

Broadcaster and former head of BBC network radio Sir David Hatch has died at the age of 68.

He made his name performing alongside John Cleese and The Goodies in 1960s radio show Sorry I'll Read That Again.

Hatch went on to produce a number of shows including Just A Minute, before moving into management where he went on to become head of BBC radio.

He later returned to broadcasting, acting as regular chairman of Radio 4 gameshow Wireless Wise from 1999-2003.

West End appearance

Hatch appeared in other recent BBC radio programmes, including The Archive Hour in 2006, which was a celebration of the BBC's Broadcasting House headquarters.

He met Cleese and Goodies regulars Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie at Cambridge, where they were active in the Footlights theatrical society.

As a cast member of 1963 revue show Plinths, he appeared on London's West End stage and Broadway, where it was renamed Cambridge Circus.

Hatch's career as a BBC radio executive also saw him serve as head of radio light entertainment and controller of Radio 2 and Radio 4.

He left the corporation in 1996 and was knighted in 2003 for his subsequent work in the criminal justice system.