Frank Bough

Frank Bough
Bough, while broadcasting Nationwide
Born
Francis Joseph Bough

(1933-01-15)15 January 1933
Died21 October 2020(2020-10-21) (aged 87)[1]
EducationOswestry Boys' High School
Alma materMerton College, Oxford
Occupation(s)Journalist, newsreader, television presenter, sports commentator
Years active1959–1998
Known forGrandstand, Nationwide, Breakfast Time
Spouse
Nesta Howells
(m. 1959)
Children3

Francis Joseph Bough (/ˈbɒf/; 15 January 1933 – 21 October 2020) was an English television presenter. He was best known as the host of BBC sports and current affairs shows including Grandstand, Nationwide and Breakfast Time, which he launched alongside Selina Scott and Nick Ross.

Over his broadcasting career, Bough became known for his smooth, relaxed and professional approach to live broadcasts, once being described as "the most unassailable performer on British television".[2] In 1987, Michael Parkinson said, "If my life depended on the smooth handling of a TV show, Bough would be my first choice to be in charge."[2] In 1988, Bough was sacked by the BBC following revelations that he had taken cocaine and used prostitutes.[3] He later presented programmes on London Weekend Television, ITV, Sky TV and on LBC radio in London before his retirement in 1998.

  1. ^ "Frank Bough: Former Grandstand presenter dies, aged 87". BBC News. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Desert Island Discs - Frank Bough". BBC. 1 May 1987. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  3. ^ Cozens, Claire (24 July 2003). "C4 film puts spotlight on BBC drugs scandals". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 9 February 2013.