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John Simpson - 60 Years at the BBC

John Simpson looks back at his extraordinary 60-year career at the BBC - reporting on the biggest global news stories of our times.

John Simpson looks back at his extraordinary 60-year career at the BBC - reporting on the biggest global stories of the era. In a frank, personal and revealing documentary, he reflects on the changing world he has witnessed: the revolution in Iran that seemed destined to fail, his brutal kidnapping in Beirut, the fall of the Berlin Wall, two wars in Iraq, the invasion of Afghanistan and a mind-altering trip up the Amazon.

From the Broadcasting House newsroom in 1966 to World Affairs editor, he looks back at memorable encounters with inspiring leaders and cruel dictators - the figures who have shaped history, including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Saddam Hussein, Colonel Gaddafi and Volodymyr Zelensky. The programme also features his insights into the role of the BBC today and the challenges faced in the age of fake news.

Release date:

59 minutes

On TV

Next Tuesday 21:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest John Simpson
Producer Simon Lister
Executive Producer Matthew Shaw

Broadcasts

  • Next Tuesday 21:00
  • Next Tuesday 23:00
  • Next Wednesday 23:30