Greg Dyke

‘“How did a short bald, man with a speech impediment have such an impact?” How indeed? Like his life, “Inside Story” is a pacy romp. Honest and heartfelt, it should be required reading.’ Observer

On 28 January 2004, four years to the day after becoming a much-loved Director-General of the BBC, Greg Dyke left his post and entered the public eye after the publication of the Hutton Report.

But Greg Dyke’s story started long before he reached the BBC. Written off as a failure at school, unemployed at thirty, his big break came as a current affairs researcher at London Weekend Television in 1977. From there he rose through the ranks of independent television, becoming the person responsible for briefly saving TV-am, thanks to Roland Rat, before running LWT, Channel Four and Pearson Television. In his riveting and frank autobiography, Dyke charts his astonishing and unconventional rise to the top, his unwavering determination and courage in improving the BBC and his defiant stand against Downing Street’s campaign of harassment. His autobiography is the story of a man of our times and of the power of television: entertaining, funny and explosively revealing.

Reviews

‘Formidable.’' Guardian

‘Very entertaining and lots of jokes.’ Daily Mail

‘Both Dyke’s critics and admirers will find what they want in this straightforward book.’ Evening Standard

‘A must-read for anyone interested in the history of British broadcasting. The once famous names of great progammes…float past as he spiritedly recreates the intensity of the wars over franchises and breakfast television…A good read and an historical contribution.’ Brenda Maddox, Literary Review

‘The most accessible of all books written by those who have held high office in the BBC.’ Irish Times

About the author

Greg Dyke was born in 1947 and educated at Hayes Grammar School and York University. Before becoming Director-General of the BBC in January 2000, he had enjoyed spells as Editor-in-Chief at TV-am, Director of Programmes at TVS and LWT (where he was Chief Executive from 1990 to 1994), a Director of Channel Four Television, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Pearson Television (1995-9). He lives with his partner Sue Howes in Twichenham, Middlesex, and has four children.