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Sir Robin Day (24 October 1923 – 6 August 2000) was an English political journalist and television and radio broadcaster.[1][2]

Key Information

Day's obituary in The Guardian by Dick Taverne stated that he was "the most outstanding television journalist of his generation. He transformed the television interview, changed the relationship between politicians and television, and strove to assert balance and rationality into the medium's treatment of current affairs".[3]

Early life

[edit]

Robin Day was born on 24 October 1923 in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, the youngest of four children[3] of William Day (c. 1885–c. 1948), a Post Office telephone engineer who became a GPO administrative manager, and his wife Florence.[4][3] He received his early formal education at Brentwood School from 1934 to 1938,[5] briefly attended the Crypt School, Gloucester, and later Bembridge School on the Isle of Wight.[citation needed]

During World War II, he received a commission into the British Army's Royal Artillery, with which he served from 1943. He was deployed to East Africa and saw little action. He was discharged from the British Army in 1947 with the rank of Lieutenant, and went up to St Edmund Hall, Oxford to read law. While at Oxford University, he was elected president of the Oxford Union debating society, and also took part in a debating tour of the United States of America, run by the English-Speaking Union.[3]

He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1952, but practised law only briefly.[6]

Journalistic career

[edit]

Day spent almost his entire working life in journalism. He rose to prominence on the new Independent Television News (ITN) from 1955. According to Dick Taverne, Day first came to notice by interviewing Sir Kenneth Clark, then chairman of the regulator Independent Television Authority. The ITA had proposed to cut ITN's broadcasting hours and finances. His direct, non-deferential approach was then entirely new.[3] Day was the first British journalist to interview Egypt's President Nasser following the Suez Crisis.

In 1958, he interviewed Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, in what the Daily Express called: "the most vigorous cross-examination a prime minister has been subjected to in public". The interview turned Day into a television personality and was probably the first time that British television became a serious part of the political process. He was on the staff of ITN for four years, resigning to stand at the 1959 general election as a Liberal Party candidate for Hereford but was not elected.[3][6] Following a brief period at the News Chronicle, he moved to the BBC.

He was a regular fixture on all BBC general election night programmes from the 1960s until 1987. On television, he presented Panorama and chaired Question Time (1979–89). His incisive and sometimes – by the standards of the day – abrasive interviewing style, together with his heavy-rimmed spectacles and trademark bow tie, made him an instantly recognisable and frequently impersonated figure over five decades.

In the early 1970s, Day worked on BBC Radio, where he proved an innovator with It's Your Line (1970–76). This was a national phone-in programme that enabled ordinary people, for the first time, to put questions directly to the prime minister and other politicians (it later spawned Election Call). He also presented The World at One from 1979 to 1987. In the 1981 New Year Honours, he was knighted for his services to broadcasting.[7]

He became known in British broadcasting as "the Grand Inquisitor" for his abrasive interviewing of politicians, a style out of keeping with the British media's habitual deference to authority in the early days of his career.

In October 1982, during a Newsnight interview with the Conservative Secretary of State for Defence John Nott, pursuing cuts in defence expenditure, in particular Royal Navy, Day posed the question: "Why should the public on this issue believe you, a transient, here today and, if I may say so, gone tomorrow politician rather than a senior officer of many years' experience?" Nott, who had announced he was to retire at the next general election, removed his own microphone and walked off the set.[6] Nott's autobiography in 2003 was called Here Today Gone Tomorrow: Recollections of an Errant Politician in reference to the incident.

After leaving Question Time, Day moved to the new satellite service BSB, where he presented the weekly political discussion programme Now Sir Robin. When BSB merged with Sky Television, the programme continued to be broadcast on Sky News for a while. During the 1992 general election campaign, he returned to the BBC to host round table discussions with senior politicians on BBC Breakfast News and he also conducted long-form interviews with all three main party leaders for ITV as part of the Thames Television programme This Week. On the night of the 1992 general election itself, Day resumed his role as interviewer, this time on ITN's general election night coverage, broadcast on ITV.

During the mid-1990s, he regularly contributed to the lunchtime Channel 4 political programme Around the House and presented Central Lobby for Central, the ITV franchise in the Midlands. That show was sometimes aired at the same time as his old programme Question Time was being broadcast by the BBC.

For 25 years, he campaigned tirelessly, and eventually successfully, for the televising of Parliament – not in the interests of television, but of Parliament itself. He claimed that he was the first to present the detailed arguments in favour, in a Hansard Society paper in 1963.[8]

Monty Python's Flying Circus often referred to Day – for example, in the "Eddie Baby" sketch, in which John Cleese turns to the camera and states: "Robin Day's got a hedgehog called Frank." In another sketch, Eric Idle said that he was able to return his "Robin Day tie" to Harrods. Day was also spoofed (as "Robin Yad") on The Goodies' episode "Saturday Night Grease". Day appeared as himself on an installment of the Morecambe and Wise show, in which he berates Ernie Wise in character. Then Eric Morecambe, acting as a TV presenter, says: "Sadly, we've come to the end of today's 'Friendly Discussion with Robin Day'."

Day was also frequently lampooned by the satirical TV programme Spitting Image. In this, he would frequently be shown interviewing then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who would always give answers somewhat unrelated to the question. The breathing difficulties that affected him later in life were represented: "My name is Robin (deep breath) Day."

His last regular TV work was Robin Day's Book Talk, which aired in the early days of BBC News 24 in around 1998. The programme featured interviews and discussions about books, broadly around a political theme. On occasions, it took the form of a one-on-one interview, while on other occasions it consisted of a panel discussion.

Autobiographies

[edit]

Day's two autobiographies were entitled Day by Day (1975) and Grand Inquisitor (1989).

Death

[edit]

Day died from heart complications, aged 76, on the evening of 6 August 2000, at the Wellington Hospital in London.[9]

A funeral service was held at the chapel of Mortlake Crematorium, where his body was cremated.[10] His ashes were buried in a grave near the south door of the Church of St Candida and Holy Cross, at Whitchurch Canonicorum in the county of Dorset. The grave's memorial stone bears the words: "In loving memory of Sir Robin Day – The Grand Inquisitor".[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1965, Day married Katherine Ainslie, an Australian law don at St Anne's College, Oxford; the couple had two sons. The marriage was dissolved in 1986. Day's elder son suffered multiple skull fractures in a childhood fall, and never fully recovered.[citation needed]

In the 1980s, Day had a coronary bypass, and he suffered from breathing problems that were often evident when he was on the air. He had always fought against a tendency to put on weight. As an undergraduate, he weighed 17 st 0 lb (108 kg; 238 lb), and claimed that, in the course of his life, he had succeeded in losing more weight than any other person.[11]

The broadcaster Joan Bakewell recalled that, while Day was professional when in the office, he was disrespectful towards female newsreaders: "Socially he was a menace. There was no subtlety in his manner: at office parties he would attack head on. 'Do the men you interview fancy you? Do they stare at your legs? Do they stare at your breasts? Do you sleep with many of them?' ... Whenever he loomed in sight, I made myself scarce."[12]

Publications

[edit]
  • Television: A Personal Report (1961)
  • Day by Day: A Dose of My Own Hemlock (1975) (autobiography)
  • The Media and Political Violence, by Richard Clutterbuck (1983; Day wrote the foreword)
  • The Grand Inquisitor (1989) (autobiography)
  • ... But with Respect (1993) (interview transcripts)
  • Speaking for Myself (1999) (collection of speeches)
[edit]

Day is portrayed by Bertie Carvel in the episode "Marionettes" in season 2 of the Netflix series The Crown.

He was parodied in The Goodies episode "Saturday Night Grease" in 1980.

He was also parodied on the satirical puppet sketch show Spitting Image.

He was referenced in Monty Python’s Flying Circus in the “It’s the Arts” sketch, where according to John Cleese, he “had a hedgehog called Frank”. The version of the sketch in the 1971 film adaption And Now for Something Completely Different changed Day to President Nixon.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Robin Day

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sir Robin Day (24 October 1923 – 6 August 2000) was a British political and broadcaster noted for pioneering rigorous, unscripted television interviews that held public figures accountable. Born in to a telephone engineer father, Day served in the in during , studied at University, and was called to the Bar in 1952 before shifting to journalism. His career highlights include landmark interviews, such as the first extended questioning of a sitting British , , in 1958, and engagements with leaders like Egypt's in 1957, establishing him as a formidable interrogator dubbed "." Day chaired the BBC's from its inception in 1979 until 1989, shaping public discourse on politics, and conducted high-profile sessions like his 1984 interview with . Knighted in 1981 for services to broadcasting, he authored the autobiography (1989), reflecting on his method of exposing inconsistencies through persistent, evidence-based probing rather than deference to authority. His approach emphasized factual scrutiny over performative neutrality, influencing subsequent journalistic standards despite occasional criticisms of abrasiveness from interviewees.

Early Life

Upbringing and Education

Sir Robin Day was born on 24 October 1923 in , , the son of William Day, a telephone engineer who later advanced to administrator and manager, and Florence Day (née Brown). The family, described as middle-class, relocated to , where Day received his initial formal schooling. Day attended Brentwood School, a , from 1934 to 1938, during which time he displayed early independence by running away from kindergarten on his first day. He briefly transferred to in before enrolling at , a on the Isle of Wight. The Second World War interrupted his education; in 1943, Day received a commission in the Royal Artillery, serving in after D-Day and rising to the rank of during an otherwise uneventful wartime tenure. Postwar, Day matriculated at , to study law, eventually being elected president of the at age 27 in 1950, a position that marked his emerging interest in debate and public discourse.

Professional Career

Legal Background and Entry into Journalism

Day read law at , graduating in 1947 before completing in the . He was called to the Bar by the in 1952 and practiced briefly as a , resigning after approximately two years as he found the profession unfulfilling. In 1953, Day relocated to , where he worked for one year in a press capacity for the British Information Services, gaining exposure to American media and public affairs communication. Upon returning to Britain in 1955, Day entered through , initially as a temporary talks producer for . With the advent of independent television that year, he joined Independent Television News () at its inception, serving as a newscaster and parliamentary correspondent; this role leveraged his legal-honed skills in argumentation and scrutiny, laying the foundation for his subsequent career in political interviewing.

Breakthrough in Television and Radio

Day entered in 1955, initially as a talks producer for while simultaneously joining the newly launched Independent Television News () as one of its inaugural newscasters alongside figures like . This dual role positioned him at the forefront of both radio and the emerging commercial television landscape in post-war Britain, where television news was shifting from scripted deference to more dynamic formats. His television breakthrough came through pioneering political interviews that challenged the era's convention of respectful, non-confrontational questioning. In , Day secured the first post-Suez Crisis interview with Egyptian President for , pressing him on issues such as Israel's recognition, which distinguished Day's approach as probing and substantive. This was followed by a landmark live 13-minute interrogation of Prime Minister on 23 February 1958 during 's Tell the People programme, the first such vigorous cross-examination of a sitting prime minister outside , conducted from a studio at Television House in . The Macmillan encounter, noted for its intensity and live format, elevated Day to national prominence as a television personality and redefined political interviewing by emphasizing accountability over deference. These television achievements earned Day the Guild of Television Producers' Personality of the Year award in 1957, reflecting his rapid impact on the medium. In radio, his early production work at the laid groundwork for later innovations, though his 1950s breakthroughs were predominantly , influencing the medium's role in public discourse by prioritizing evidence-based scrutiny of power. By 1959, this reputation facilitated his move to the 's , extending his influence across both platforms.

Major Roles and Programs

Day served as a presenter on BBC's , a flagship current affairs program, contributing significantly from the late 1950s through the 1970s, with appearances documented as late as 1979. He also alternated as presenter on Tonight, a nightly current affairs series, during its runs from 1957 to 1965 and 1975 to 1979. His most enduring television role was as the inaugural chairman of , a weekly topical debate program on , which he hosted from its premiere on 25 September 1979 until June 1989, spanning nearly a decade of live audience questioning of political figures. This format, under Day's stewardship, emphasized direct confrontation and unscripted exchanges, setting a standard for political broadcasting. Day was a fixture in BBC's coverage, conducting high-profile interviews starting with the 1959 election and continuing through multiple campaigns, including notable sessions in 1964, 1974, and 1987, where he interrogated party leaders on policy and performance. On radio, he presented The World at One, a daily news and current affairs bulletin on BBC Radio 4.

Notable Interviews and Contributions

Day conducted the first live television interview with a British Prime Minister, , on 23 February 1958 at ITN's Television House, marking a pivotal shift in political by introducing unscripted scrutiny to high office. This encounter elevated Day's profile and demonstrated television's potential to probe leaders directly, diverging from prior deference in media interactions. In 1984, Day interviewed on BBC's , pressing her on policy decisions and personal accountability in a manner that exemplified his confrontational style. Similarly, during the 1992 general election, he questioned on campaign eve, focusing on leadership and electoral prospects. Earlier, in 1971, Day challenged Labour's over internal party dynamics, highlighting tensions with figures like . These exchanges underscored Day's reputation for rigorous, policy-oriented questioning that often unsettled interviewees. Day's contributions extended beyond individual interviews to shaping broadcast formats; as a founding ITN presenter, he invigorated news presentation by emphasizing immediacy over formality, influencing the medium's transition from scripted restraint to dynamic reporting. He chaired BBC's from its inception in 1979 until 1989, fostering public discourse through adversarial panel debates that prioritized factual accountability. On radio, Day hosted The World at One, delivering concise midday analysis that reinforced his commitment to balanced, evidence-based journalism. His work on further established investigative current affairs, as seen in his 1961 reporting from post-revolutionary . Overall, Day transformed the interviewer-interviewee dynamic, insisting on rationality and impartiality amid evolving media landscapes.

Journalistic Approach

Interviewing Techniques

Day's interviewing style emphasized rigorous preparation, often involving a week's immersion in biographies, autobiographies, and official documents like White Papers, which frequently left interviewees out-informed despite their access to research assistants. This groundwork enabled him to pose succinct, pointed questions that targeted jugular issues, focusing intently on one or two central topics rather than scattering attention across peripherals. He pioneered a shift from the deferential, insipid pre-1950s broadcast interviews—characterized by respectful but dull exchanges—to a more dynamic, robust form of questioning that resembled vigorous cross-examination while maintaining courtesy and civility. Day described his approach as "robust interviewing," involving persistent follow-ups to dismantle evasions, rephrasing queries to force clarity, and pressing until responses yielded substantive answers rather than deflections. For instance, in a 1963 interview with Lord Home, he relentlessly probed denials of leadership ambitions, exposing underlying intentions through repeated, well-informed challenges. Similarly, his 1958 encounter with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was hailed by the Daily Express as "the most vigorous cross-examination a prime minister has been subjected to in public." Tenacity underpinned his method, as he refused to accept , often concluding by reaffirming the interviewer's duty to pose tough questions for public accountability. Yet Day balanced relentlessness with wit and fairness, avoiding snide or unfair aggression to illuminate rather than merely confront, a noted by contemporaries like , who credited him with elevating political discourse. Critics, however, viewed his persistence as hectoring or acerbic, particularly in exchanges that induced discomfort, though he maintained this stemmed from a commitment to truth over deference. His technique evolved minimally over decades, retaining core elements from early innovations like the 1956 grilling of ITA chairman Sir Kenneth Clark on budget cuts, which showcased firm yet civil tenacity. By the 1970s and 1980s, as chairman of from 1979 to 1989, Day applied honed skills to panel debates, fostering lively yet rational exchanges that prioritized evidence over rhetoric. This approach influenced successors, establishing persistent, informed interrogation as a staple of British political .

Emphasis on Rationality and Balance

Day insisted on grounding political interviews in rational discourse, prioritizing factual scrutiny and logical consistency over emotive appeals or evasion. He championed "government by debate," a principle that underscored his view of television's role in facilitating reasoned analysis rather than sensationalism or visual bias, thereby injecting balance and into coverage of current affairs. This philosophy transformed interviews from deferential exchanges into probing cross-examinations, as exemplified by his 1958 session with , described by contemporaries as the most vigorous public grilling of a British leader to that point. Central to Day's method was exhaustive preparation without reliance on assistants; he immersed himself in biographies, government papers, and policy documents to outmatch interviewees' knowledge and expose inconsistencies. While personally leaning conservative, he upheld strict in broadcasts, refusing to let ideological preferences skew questioning or panel selection. On , which he hosted from 1979 to 1989, this manifested in curating panels with cross-party representation and steering audience queries toward substantive evaluation of policies and ideas, encapsulated in the program's ethos of interrogating "the choices to be made" through deliberate, evidence-based dialogue.

Political Perspectives

Evolution of Views

In the early stages of his career, Day actively engaged with liberal by resigning from his position as ITN's political correspondent to stand as the Liberal Party candidate for in the 1959 general election, though he was unsuccessful in securing the seat. This reflected his initial enthusiasm for the Liberal Party, including support for , amid a broader passion for British parliamentary . As his journalistic career advanced through the and beyond, Day's private political views gradually shifted toward , incorporating nationalist elements, while his professional commitment to ensured these opinions did not overtly influence his broadcasting. His early Liberal fervor notably diminished over time, aligning with a growing appreciation for traditional institutions such as the and , which he regarded as foundational to British . This evolution did not manifest in partisan advocacy on air but was evident in later writings and reflections, where Day emphasized , balance, and toward radical reforms, prioritizing empirical scrutiny of over ideological alignment. By the 1980s and 1990s, his commentary occasionally critiqued excessive state intervention and favored measured , though always subordinated to his role as an interrogator rather than an ideologue.

Engagements with Key Issues

Day's engagements with key political issues were primarily channeled through his journalistic scrutiny of leaders and institutions, reflecting a commitment to rational debate amid his personal shift toward conservative nationalism. Following the 1956 , he delivered vivid, unscripted reports on the acrimonious parliamentary debates and secured the first post-crisis interview with Egyptian President on 28 July 1957, pressing him on Egypt's control of the and its relations with Britain amid ongoing technical hostilities. These efforts underscored his focus on foreign policy accountability during the declining era of British imperial influence. In domestic spheres, Day interrogated prime ministers on economic woes, industrial strife, and regional conflicts, such as his 1972 BBC interview with on Northern Ireland's deteriorating security, rates exceeding 1 million, and hovering above 7 percent. Similarly, in a 9 1984 Panorama exchange with , he challenged her government's handling of the escalating coal miners' dispute, questioning the efficacy of employment laws in curbing union actions that had idled over 140,000 workers by early 1984. His approach emphasized exposing policy causalities, like the links between and social unrest, without endorsing partisan solutions. Day's personal perspectives evolved from Liberal roots—manifest in his unsuccessful 1959 parliamentary bid for under that party's banner—to increasingly conservative and nationalist inclinations, prioritizing British sovereignty and traditional institutions over supranational ventures. This outlook informed limited but pointed commentary on European matters, where he favored domestic parliamentary primacy; he advocated televising proceedings in a seminal 1963 Hansard Society paper, a campaign culminating in broadcasts starting 21 November 1989 after royal assent. He also influenced public policy by proposing a national lottery in submissions to the 1979 Rothschild commission, which shaped the 1993 legislation enabling its launch on 19 November 1994. Such interventions highlighted his belief in empirical reforms to bolster civic engagement, distinct from broader economic or ideological overhauls.

Personal Life

Family and Marriages

Day married Katherine Ainslie, an Australian lawyer and tutor in law at , on 3 April 1965 in Perth, . The couple had two sons, and Daniel. Their marriage, which lasted over two decades, ended in divorce in 1986. Day did not remarry following the dissolution. His former wife and sons attended his funeral in 2000.

Lifestyle and Interests

Day maintained a convivial social life, frequenting the Garrick Club as a favored haunt where he was known among friends as a warm companion, contrasting his on-air persona. He took particular pride in his occasional forays into light entertainment, performing in music-hall style segments on shows hosted by Morecambe and Wise and Des O'Connor, and enjoyed screening videos of these appearances for guests. Throughout his adult life, Day contended with weight management, having reached 17 stone during his undergraduate years at Oxford, and he asserted having shed more pounds than any other individual.

Publications

Key Books and Writings

Day authored Day by Day: A Dose of My Own Hemlock in 1975, an autobiographical account reflecting on his journalistic experiences and personal challenges in broadcasting. His 1989 Grand Inquisitor detailed 34 years as a television interviewer, including professional anecdotes, opinions on media practices, and insights into his confrontational interviewing style that earned him the nickname "." But with Respect: Memorable Interviews with Statesmen and Parliamentarians compiled transcripts and analyses of significant political interviews, showcasing Day's rigorous questioning of public figures. In Speaking for Myself, Day gathered a selection of his public speeches, highlighting his role as a commentator on political and media topics. These works collectively emphasized Day's commitment to probing and toward political , drawing directly from his on-air confrontations and off-screen reflections.

Death and Legacy

Final Illness and Death

In the years preceding his death, Day experienced ongoing cardiac issues, including multiple hospital admissions. In 1997, he underwent surgery to fit a pig in his heart to address valvular problems. These health challenges contributed to his decision to step back from regular broadcasting, having already retired from hosting in 1989 partly due to deteriorating condition. Day was admitted to the Wellington Hospital in , , in early August 2000 for investigations into a cardiac condition. He died peacefully there on the evening of 6 August 2000, at the age of 76. The hospital's chief executive, Michael Stroud, confirmed that Day had been in for a few days and passed at 9 p.m., with medical staff present but family not at his bedside. His death followed a short final illness marked by these heart complications.

Assessments and Influence

Sir Robin Day was widely regarded as the preeminent British television of his era, credited with revolutionizing the political by shifting it from deferential exchanges to rigorous, prosecutorial scrutiny informed by his legal training. His style, characterized by incisive follow-up questions, courteous persistence, and a demand for substantive answers, established benchmarks for in broadcasting, as evidenced by his 1958 with , which contemporaries described as the most vigorous public of a sitting leader. Day's approach elevated television's role in political discourse, compelling politicians to engage directly with public scrutiny rather than scripted platitudes. Upon his death in 2000, tributes from across the underscored his influence, with former praising his toughness and fairness, noting that his absence would render British political life "blander and poorer." Conservative leader highlighted Day's "penetrating, fearless, yet courteous" manner as a rare standard for interviewers, while Labour's acknowledged him as setting the tone for a generation of broadcasters through his distinctive skill and preparation. Broadcasters like credited Day with inventing the modern political interview, and emphasized his innovation of supplementary questioning to enforce accountability. These assessments reflect Day's enduring impact on formats such as , which he chaired from 1979 to 1989, fostering informed debate and public engagement with policy issues. Day's legacy includes advocating for parliamentary televising, realized after his 25-year campaign via a 1963 Society paper, which democratized access to legislative proceedings. However, some critiques noted his focus on Westminster-centric politics and a perceived sidelining by the in favor of less confrontational styles, though his influence persisted in shaping successors' emphasis on forensic over . His work at from 1955 onward pioneered flexible, on-location reporting, contributing to television's emergence as a primary medium for in post-war Britain.

Cultural Impact

Representations in Media

Sir Robin Day was portrayed by actor in the Netflix series , specifically in season 2, episode 5 titled "Marionettes," which aired in 2017 and depicted Day interviewing Lord Altrincham on the monarchy's public image. Day was parodied on the satirical puppet television programme Spitting Image, which ran from 1984 to 1996, where a of him, recognizable by his and interviewing style, appeared in multiple sketches lampooning political figures and broadcasters. For instance, in one 1980s episode, the Day 's hand was depicted as mangled in a food blender during a sketch on media mishaps. Comedian impersonated Day in a 1959 television appearance, mimicking his distinctive voice and journalistic persona in a comedic sketch format typical of Hill's early work. References to Day appeared in , including a line in the first episode (aired 5 October 1969) where a character quips, "Robin Day's got a called Frank," as part of absurd non-sequiturs poking fun at public figures. Additionally, the "Eddie Baby" sketch referenced Day's interviewing style by turning directly to the camera in a mock serious manner. Day was spoofed as "Robin Yad" by in the 1980 episode "Saturday Night Grease" of the comedy series , satirizing his role as a television personality in a talent show context.

References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/aug/08/guardianobituaries1
  2. http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/571517/index.html
  3. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/robinday-5450.php
  4. https://transdiffusion.org/2016/10/17/robin-day-in-orbit/
  5. https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/105538
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  10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/870103.stm
  11. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/09/world/robin-day-76-bbc-grand-inquisitor-dies.html
  12. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/1/hi/programmes/panorama/6228323.stm
  13. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/15/question-time-40th-anniversary-bbc-bias-brexit-fiona-bruce
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  26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/870113.stm
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwqfkCsfp5c
  28. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ainslie-531
  29. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/883481.stm
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  31. https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/robin-day/1235753/
  32. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/269467
  33. https://www.amazon.com/Sir-Robin-Day-Grand-Inquisitor/dp/0297796607
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  35. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4149728-speaking-for-myself
  36. https://goldsborobooks.com/products/speaking-for-myself
  37. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/aug/08/politics.politicalnews
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  40. https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/this-britain/sir-robin-day-dies-at-76-710747.html
  41. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/870886.stm
  42. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/the-crown-bertie-carvel-tony-blair-season-6-interview-1235708928/
  43. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/10/31/berties-return-carvel-becomes-first-actor-play-two-different/
  44. https://www.theoldie.co.uk/article/a-right-royal-farce-spitting-image-returns-john-lloyd
  45. https://www.nallon.com/?p=130
  46. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-benny-hill-seen-here-impersonating-robin-day-february-1959-p011510-20385392.html
  47. https://wearecult.rocks/revolution-in-the-foot-monty-pythons-first-episode
  48. https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Robin_Day
  49. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/TheGoodies
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