- Sir Paul came up with the idea of BBC Sports Personality of the Year
- He was also a founding editor of Grandstand and a controller of BBC One
Former BBC executive Sir Paul Fox, who launched classic sitcom Dad’s Army, has died at the age of 98, the corporation has announced on behalf of his family.
Sir Paul also oversaw the launches of comedy series The Two Ronnies and talk show Parkinson, as well as devising BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie has paid tribute to him as ‘one of the best TV executives from a golden era in television’.
Sir Paul was also a founding editor of sports show Grandstand and a controller of BBC One.
Mr Davie said: ‘Sir Paul had a towering career in television – not just with the BBC – but across the industry.
Former BBC boss Sir Paul Fox has died at the age of 98, the corporation has announced
He has been described as ‘one of the best TV executives from a golden era in television’
Long-running BBC sitcom Dad’s Army was one of the shows launched by Sir Paul
‘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.’
Born in 1925, Sir Paul joined the BBC in the 1950s as a newsreel scriptwriter before going on to edit round-up show Sportsview and news and investigation programme Panorama.
BBC Sports Personality Of The Year was first awarded in 1954 to runner Sir Chris Chataway, who later became a Conservative MP.
The prize, voted for by the public, was later won by Princess Anne in 1971 and continues to be a prominent annual showcase event for the broadcaster.
Sir Paul’s time as controller of BBC One, from 1967 to 1973, included the launch of Dad’s Army which ran for nine series, 80 episodes, from 1968 to 1977.
He also commissioned The Generation Game, first presented by Bruce Forsyth from 1971 until 1977.
He was presented with a Bafta Fellowship at the 1990 awards ceremony by Princess Anne, president of the Academy
Sir Paul was also chairman of the Racecourse Association and is seen here, left, presenting a bronze sculpture to veteran racing correspondent Sir Peter Sullevan
Sir Paul is seen speaking at a service of thanksgiving for the life of sportts broadcaster Harry Carpenter at St Bride’s Church in London’s Fleet Street in May 2010
After his time at the BBC, Sir Paul moved to become managing director of Yorkshire TV, which became ITV Yorkshire, from 1973 to 1988.
He returned to the BBC as managing director of network television and retired aged 65 in 1991, the year in which he was knighted for services to the TV industry.
Sir Paul then went on to become chairman of the Racecourse Association and the Disasters Emergency Committee before leaving both roles in the 1990s.
He was also a former chairman of breakfast franchise consortium Daybreak TV and was a board member of Thames Television.
