Background
Barratt, Michael Fieldhouse was born on January 3, 1928 in Leeds, England. Son of Wallace Milner Barratt and Doris Fieldhouse.
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Barratt, Michael Fieldhouse was born on January 3, 1928 in Leeds, England. Son of Wallace Milner Barratt and Doris Fieldhouse.
Barratt was educated at Rossall School, an independent boys" school near Fleetwood, Lancashire, and at Paisley Grammar School in Scotland.
He is mainly known for his lengthy period as the main presenter on Nationwide. After leaving school, he became a journalist for Kemsley newspapers, before moving to Nigeria to be editor of the Nigerian Citizen and to work for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service. Following his return to the United Kingdom, he worked as a production journalist on several English regional newspapers including a period at the Wolverhampton Express & Star.
At the same time, he contributed regularly to the British Broadcasting Corporation World Service and began a freelance television reporting career, initially on the Midlands regional current affairs magazine Scan.
He became a reporter on the British Broadcasting Corporation current affairs programmes Midlands Today, going on to present Panorama, then 24 Hours. He was a Nationwide presenter from 1969 to 1977.
He was also chairman of British Broadcasting Corporation Radio 4"s Gardeners" Question Time from 1973 to 1977. He was also a presenter of Thames television"s Reporting London and Chairman of Michael Barratt Limited production company until 1997.
He also presented Songs of Praise.
He has appeared, as himself, in both films and television, including the film The Magic Christian and The Goodies. In 1972 he was elected Rector of the University of Aberdeen. He is the author of several books including Michael Barratt"s Complete Gardening Guide, Michael Barratt, Making the Most of the Media, and Making the Most of Retirement.
In 2013 his autobiography, Mr.
Nationwide, was published.
Fellow: Royal Society Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce. Member: Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (member golf course committee).
Married Joan Francesca Warner (divorced 1970). Children: Mark, Andrew, Eve, Paul, Jane, Rachel. Married Dilys Jane Morgan.
Children: Oliver, Barnaby, Jessica.