Freddie Grisewood

April 11, 1888 (age 84)

He was perhaps best known for being the host of Any Questions? from its inception in 1948 until 1967. He first worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation as an announcer in 1929. In 1932, the Daily Express published his name, along with those of several of his fellow announcers. Before that date the British Broadcasting Corporation had required them to maintain on-air anonymity. In 1937, he was the commentator for the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the first-ever British Broadcasting Corporation live outside television broadcast. The British Broadcasting Corporation had only taken delivery of its first Outside Broadcast unit which consisted of several vans two days before the Coronation. Despite no-one having any experience of operating it was placed at the top of Constitution Hill to catch the Royal Carriage as it went past A message was sent to the King asking him to give a special wave for the camera. Grisewood was the commentator though as the number of television sets in homes was still very small, probably less than 1,000, his audience would be minute. He would recount how just as the Royal carriage appeared in the distance, all the equipment failed. The engineer in charge swore, gave it a hefty kick and it all came to life again so the day was saved. He commentated on the first televised broadcast of a tennis match at Wimbledon, on 21 June 1937. In 1938, he hosted the first United Kingdom game show, the 15-minute Spelling Bee. Grisewood was a good cricketer, and played one first-class match: for Worcestershire against Oxford University at The University Parks in June 1908. Despite having played against his university at first-class level, he never appeared for lieutenant He continued to work as a freelance broadcaster well into the 1960s. Grisewood was born in Daylesford, Worcestershire. He died aged 84 in Grayshott, Hampshire.

Freddie Grisewood

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cricketer

Education

Grisewood was educated at Radley College, and later at Magdalen College, University of Oxford.

Career

He was perhaps best known for being the host of Any Questions? from its inception in 1948 until 1967. He first worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation as an announcer in 1929. In 1932, the Daily Express published his name, along with those of several of his fellow announcers.

Before that date the British Broadcasting Corporation had required them to maintain on-air anonymity.

In 1937, he was the commentator for the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the first-ever British Broadcasting Corporation live outside television broadcast. The British Broadcasting Corporation had only taken delivery of its first Outside Broadcast unit which consisted of several vans two days before the Coronation.

Despite no-one having any experience of operating it was placed at the top of Constitution Hill to catch the Royal Carriage as it went past A message was sent to the King asking him to give a special wave for the camera.

Grisewood was the commentator though as the number of television sets in homes was still very small, probably less than 1,000, his audience would be minute.

He would recount how just as the Royal carriage appeared in the distance, all the equipment failed. The engineer in charge swore, gave it a hefty kick and it all came to life again so the day was saved. He commentated on the first televised broadcast of a tennis match at Wimbledon, on 21 June 1937.

In 1938, he hosted the first United Kingdom game show, the 15-minute Spelling Bee.

Grisewood was a good cricketer, and played one first-class match: for Worcestershire against Oxford University at The University Parks in June 1908. Despite having played against his university at first-class level, he never appeared for lieutenant

He continued to work as a freelance broadcaster well into the 1960s. Grisewood was born in Daylesford, Worcestershire.

He died aged 84 in Grayshott, Hampshire.

Achievements

Although Worcestershire won the game by the wide margin of 332 runs, Grisewood made no significant personal contribution to his side"s victory: he scored 1 and 6 not out, and neither bowled nor held a catch.

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Freddie Grisewood

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