Melvyn Bragg

Writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg conceived, wrote and fronted ITV's South Bank Show for over 30 years, with the aim to bring both high art and popular culture to a wide audience. He has long been a familiar voice on UK airwaves on shows such as Radio 4's Start the Week and In Our Time, and has authored novels, histories, biographies, children's books and screenplays. Encouraged by a teacher at his grammar school, he got into Oxford and began his career as a trainee at the BBC. He was appointed to the House of Lords in 1998 and this summer his life and career were profiled in BBC documentary Melvyn Bragg: Wigton to Westminster. 

1. What was your biggest career break?

Staying on at school aged 15. I had intended to leave, and took it for granted that I would. My history teacher, Mr James, persuaded my parents to let me stay on. I did not learn of this until 2015.

2. Have you had a notable mentor – and if so what was it about them that was so inspiring?

At school – Mr James. In the BBC – Huw Wheldon. He allowed me to be as dedicated to arts programme-making as others were to drama, documentaries and politics.

3. What one piece of advice would you give to the 20-year-old you?

If you don’t, as I didn’t, have a key obsessive idea, then follow your hunch and ride any luck that comes along.

4. What qualities do you most value in people with whom you work?

Talent, friendliness, loyalty, humour.

5. Who do you admire and why?

Oh God! So many, I had not thought death had undone so many. Lawrence, Dickens, Austen, early Tolstoy, early Beatles, late Beethoven, late Hardy.

6. What does the future of literature, and broadcasting look like, to you?

In good shape. A few storms brewing but nothing to panic about. Anyway, panic can be useful.

7. If you hadn’t lived a life in writing, literature and broadcasting, what would you have done instead?

Difficult to work it out. Acting perhaps, singing more likely. Best of all, playing the piano somewhere or other.

8. What is your biggest extravagance?

Paintings of Cumbria, and by Cumbrians.

9. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and why? (you can invite three people – they must be alive)

My three children, or Tristram Powell, Vivien Green, William Ismay – good long held friends

10. What do you do to relax away from work?

Walk, alone.

11. If you could change one thing about Britain today, what would it be?

The system.

12. What would your last meal be? (you can choose a starter, a main course and a pudding)

Porridge with a dab of honey, cod with vegetables, something very dark and chocolatey with one scoop of vanilla ice-cream, plus red wine.