BBC TV presenter Phil Drabble from One Man And His Dog has died at the age of 93

old golfer · 30th July 2007, 18:09

Long-serving BBC TV presenter Phil Drabble from One Man And His Dog has died at the age of 93.
Mr Drabble, who hosted the long-running BBC2 show from 1976 to 1993, died on Sunday at his home in Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire, the BBC said.
The presenter, a widower who received an OBE in 1993, was a naturalist and author of several books on wildlife.
Mr Drabble was the original presenter of the programme, which attracted eight million viewers in its heyday.
Forthright opinions
"When the BBC first asked me to present the programme in 1975, I refused because I thought it would be too boring for words," he said when he left the show in 1993.
"The viewers didn't think so, but I'm amazed it has lasted this long."
The programme continued with Robin Page as presenter but ended in 1999.
Mr Drabble, who grew up in Bloxwich in the West Midlands, was renowned for his forthright opinions - referring to the then Ministry of Agriculture as "monumental incompetents".
The Queen also sought his expertise on wildlife matters: "She was having trouble with her liberty budgies at Windsor being attacked by hawks, and although she is a good naturalist she wanted my advice."
Nature reserve
His career as a writer, broadcaster and wildlife expert began in middle age.
Before that he was a factory worker in the Black Country, climbing up the ranks to management level.
He and his late wife Jess, who died 18 months ago, devoted their time to their 90-acre woodland nature reserve.
Family friend Ruth Froggatt said Mr Drabble continued to write after he retired from the programme.
She said: "He was writing well into his 80s and it was only in the last few years that he hadn't been so well."
He's not too well todat either it seems ....

tottyas · 31st July 2007, 07:29

Thanks for posting this, didn't see it in the english press or I read the wrong paper. Another institution gone.

Margaretta · 31st July 2007, 22:53

Thanks for the obituary OG; it really cheered me up!

OK I do agree. He was an excellent institution like Alistair Cook and his "Letter from America".

What would you like us to say about you? I'd LOVE to write that one!!!

"Here lie I in San Miguel.
My golf ball's deep below the swell.
Dorada Bar's above the waves.
Wifie drinks cocktails as she sunbathes!"

Ouch! How cruel!

Margaretta

Jackie B · 1st August 2007, 08:53

old golfer · 1st August 2007, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaretta

Thanks for the obituary OG; it really cheered me up!

OK I do agree. He was an excellent institution like Alistair Cook and his "Letter from America".

What would you like us to say about you? I'd LOVE to write that one!!!

"Here lie I in San Miguel.
My golf ball's deep below the swell.
Dorada Bar's above the waves.
Wifie drinks cocktails as she sunbathes!"

Ouch! How cruel!

Margaretta

Glad you enjoyed the obituary ,and thank you for the nice poem but i expect to be around for a long,long time yet...

I see more like man found dead in 24 year olds girls bedroom in Veronicas after a night of passion with a large grin on his face.....

Margaretta · 1st August 2007, 09:03

No O.G.

Scotsmen are not renowned for their charitable gifts.....

Margaretta