Gordon Honeycombe RIP (co-wrote 'The Golden Vision' EFC play)

[tonyhorne]

Didn't he get sacked by ITN for ad-libbing his own personal support for striking fire fighters at the end of the news once?

 

[Jacob]

Didn't he get sacked by ITN for ad-libbing his own personal support for striking fire fighters at the end of the news once?

No, but he was suspended. He'd written a factual book on the Fire Service in 1976......
"which scrutinised the courageous actions of firemen at the Worsley hotel, west London, in 1974. They rescued 50 people by scaling ladders and climbing up the walls of the building, but seven people died, including a probationary firefighter.
By November 1977, the firemen were taking industrial action, picketing fire stations in support of a pay claim which they saw as years overdue. As a newscaster discussing and preparing the content of his bulletins, as well as reading them, Honeycombe was familiar with the usual objective reports about the issue. But he then wrote for a national daily newspaper a full-page article backing the firemen. “It is sad that the rights of these men to a better wage have been ignored, not just this year or during the last decade, but for 100 years since the brigade was formed,” he said. “There is only one humane solution. Give the firemen back their self-respect and pride. Give them the money.”
His ITN editor suspended him and asked for assurances that he would make no further statement on the dispute. Honeycombe had already arranged to leave ITN to concentrate on writing, and since he had the paperback of Red Watch appearing imminently, he declined. He pointed out that he was bound to be asked by journalists covering his book what he thought about the firemen’s industrial action, and that he could not in honesty say other than that he supported it. This he continued to do, greeted as a hero when speaking at union meetings and picket lines around England and Wales, and helping the firemen to a positive outcome".
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/oct/10/gordon-honeycombe

 

[royalblue66]

R I P. Gordan.

 

[wiggie]

I first remember Gordon as a newscaster for ITN when I was a kid....when they were household names - Reggie bevvy Bosanquet, Andrew Gardner etc. The Golden Vision blew everyone away...one of the new breed docu type drama with real live Scouse actors...but most of all Evertonians especially Bill Dean. Still remember us watching it in ours when I was a kid. Groundbreaking television from Neville Smith and Gordon.....May He Rest In Peace.

THIS

 

[Toffeelover]

Never knew that of him, goodness. RIP Gordon.