Gavin was a senior news editor for BBC News. He also made brief on-screen appearances reading the news. In March 1957, Donald Baverstock, editor of the current affairs TV programme Tonight, introduced a short news summary within the programme, transmitted from Egton House (where BBC Radio 1 was housed for many years) and read by a senior duty news editor. Gray read the first news summary on 22nd March 1957. It turned out to be a short-lived experiment and Gray read the final (in-programme) news summary on 21st August 1957.
On 13th June 1965, Gavin stepped in to read the 6.10pm news (BBC One), due to a clerical error on the newsreaders’ rota. The broadcast should’ve been anchored by Richard Baker. Gray’s sartorial choice was widely reported in the national press the following day, as he wore a sports jacket and a pullover instead of the usual attire for a BBC One news bulletin (a suit). A photo appeared in the Daily Mail.
Correspondence
In March 1986, Paul R. Jackson asked Gavin about his unscheduled appearance: “The picture was taken after the broadcast. Photographers from the papers arrived at Alexandra Palace within half an hour or so.”
Personal information
Clips of Gavin on The TV Room
Gavin may be featured in video/audio clips on our other websites. Click the links below to display a listing (a 404 error will appear if no clips are found):
Online presence
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Gavin Gray (1965). SUPPLIED BY: Paul R. Jackson. COPYRIGHT: Unknown.
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