Mills, Ivor

Ivor Mills received his education at Stranmillis College and Queen’s University, Belfast.

Ivor initially pursued music professionally, having undertaken studies in classical composition and musical history, achieving his LRAM qualification.

Teaching in Belfast occupied his early career.

Journalism subsequently attracted him, leading to roles encompassing production, editorial work and programme presentation – initially with the BBC and Irish radio (RTÉ).

Upon Ulster TV’s launch in October 1959, he secured a position as an announcer. His tenure there lasted until 1965, during which time he also fronted the evening magazine programme Roundabout.

His career included employment with the BBC World Service.

Ivor became a reporter on Southern Television’s regional news programme Day by Day (c. 1963) and subsequently presented their afternoon magazine programme, Home at Four-Thirty (1964).

In 1965, Ivor became part of Geoffrey Cox’s team at ITN, joining a new generation of “national figures”, though he recognised this represented an unusual form of celebrity.

Self-importance never featured in his character, yet he maintained exceptional professional standards in his work.

His reporting assignments encompassed diverse subjects, including the tragic thalidomide drug scandal.

His interviewees included Margaret Thatcher, Freddie Laker discussing his airline venture, Harold Wilson, Sophia Loren, Robert Kennedy, George Brown regarding his (final) resignation, Dr Barnes Wallis (who invented the bouncing bomb), Sean Connery and racing driver Graham Hill.

During the mid-70s, he conducted a confrontational live interview with Jocelyn Stevens concerning a Fleet Street industrial dispute – broadcasting colleagues still remember it as an exemplary piece of journalism.

Despite advocating for the Protestant majority’s rights in Northern Ireland, Ivor maintained complete freedom from sectarian prejudice and absolute opposition to violence in any form.

He courageously expressed these principles while reporting from Ireland for ITN, and it pained him that subsequent threats from extremists across both political divides restricted his visits to his cherished Ulster for several years.

Both professionally and socially he was admired for his ability to deliver a witty remark, suggest impromptu tap-dancing or raise an eyebrow in a manner that would dispel anxiety (frequently concealed as pomposity) from most situations.

When that approach proved ineffective, however, he could project a formidable presence.

He was additionally recognised as an enthusiastic bon viveur, a devoted advocate of the extended lunch and close companion of fellow broadcaster Reggie Bosanquet, at whose tennis gatherings he demonstrated accomplished and elegant play.

In 1978, Ivor departed broadcasting to join the Post Office as its inaugural head of public affairs.

Ivor maintained this position following the separation of telecommunications from the nationalised Post Office, choosing to remain with what was designated, in 1981, as British Telecom.

He subsequently achieved promotion to deputy director of corporate relations.

Following his retirement from BT in 1988, Ivor undertook consultancy projects with various organisations, including Sunset and Vine, the television production company, until declining health, which included consequences from a hit-and-run incident near his north London residence, limited his professional activities.

Former colleagues from television and BT remembered him as someone who would consistently appear in spirited form and enjoyed social occasions.

Personal information

Clips of Ivor on The TV Room

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Acknowledgements