Taylor, Alec

Alec was born in Dublin. He went to university in Dublin and worked as a publicity assistant for Oxam, then as a market researcher and teacher.

He spent three years working for a radio station in Cologne, where he was a compére on a music show, bringing the latest music and news of British groups to short wave listeners around Europe. He also broadcast on German radio on Deutschlandfunk.

He was LWT’s chief announcer, when the station launched in August 1968.  He announced for two-and-a-half years out-of-vision, until in-vision announcing was introduced at the station for the first time in early 1971.

In September 1975, a piece in the Harrow Observer, remarked that the 34-year-old had signed a new contract, but would appear less often, for only two out of four weekends. This would allow him to pursue freelance broadcasting work.

He had recently completed presenting the second of two series of educational programmes for youngsters for Yorkshire Television, called The Nature of Things.

He also worked for Tyne Tees Television and on his own series of late-night talk shows for Southern Television in Dover, interviewing Henry Cooper and Leonard Parkin.

This led him to do a project called Memoirs on Camera, initially with celebrities and later with the general public.

He did the introduction for ITN’s News at 5.45, which launched in August 1976.

In 1977, he left LWT.

He appeared in two TV dramas:

• TV announcer in ITV Sunday Night Theatre (1971);
• radio announcer in Screenplay (Granada TV, 1981).

He was seen in several Krona margarine adverts in February 1984.

He was a presenter and interviewer for Corporate TV in Dublin and London (1977 – 1985).

He was founder and managing director of Communication Skills International Ltd, based in London and Vienna (1985 – 2002).

In January 2003, he set up Alec Taylor Ltd in Dublin.

Interview

Paul R. Jackson interviewed Alec, via Skype, in July 2023, confirming details about his career.

How did you join LWT?

“I had been working in radio in Cologne and doing freelance work for another radio station. I was doing well financially, so took the big step of moving to the UK and applied to the new ITV London weekend company.

“Tim Frost was my direct boss, then Warren Beach and Eric Flatfield.

“Transmission Controllers included Alec Gunn, Wendy Powell and Robin Powell, who was the youngest of the group.”

What are your memories of the early days at LWT in Wembley?

“We were encouraged to be less formal and ad hoc at Wembley. I would chat to on-screen talent like David Frost and The Two Ronnies in the bar.

“I would be asked to do live voiceovers at the start of some shows and we had camera operators in the announcers suite.

“Northwood Park Hospital was near the old Wembley Studios and I also did work on hospital radio.”

What are your memories of former colleagues and working at the South Bank?

“Apart from Peter Lewis and the other two you mention (Jill Bechley and Pat Doody), there was a tall fellow with dark hair, whose name I forget, at the South Bank.

“When we moved to the South Bank, it was further to travel so got a scooter.

“It was less formal and the presentation suite was further away from the studios.

“We had automatic cameras in the announcers booth.”

Did you have any on-air mishaps?

“I always had a copy of the TV Times to hand, if a tape didn’t start or there was a delay in transmission, and I had to busk and fill.

“I had to introduce the 1967 western film, The Pistolero of Red River, starring Glenn Ford and Angie Dickinson.

“I knew the title might trip me up and I emphasised the first word which came out sounding like pissed, which brought laughter to the transmission control room.

“I was on duty for New Year’s Eve and, I know it wasn’t due to drink but maybe nerves, but I wished viewers a very happy Christmas.”

Did you receive much fan mail?

“Yes, I received ties but received more socks than anything.”

Was it your decision to leave LWT?

“I was doing freelance work, including voiceover work, and felt strong enough financially to leave. 

“I was glad I didn’t stay longer appearing on TV.

“I met Terry Wogan, who was a pleasant and charming man, several times in voiceover booths. I realised I didn’t want that degree of fame, which was very limiting and had a loss of privacy too.

“I received lifetime membership of BAFTA during this period.”

Paul asked about his later training career

“When I was running Communication Skills International Ltd in Great Portland Street, I used former colleague Peter Lewis, who was very good.

“I received a call from the Cabinet Office, which led to me doing training sessions for them for 17 years.

“When I was living in Austria, I trained a presidential candidate, worked for the Council for Europe and the Atomic Agency.

“I enjoyed this high level work, as I have always had an interest in public affairs and politics.”

 

Personal information

Clips of Alec on The TV Room

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Online presence

Acknowledgements