Award-winning BBC radio presenter Sir Humphrey Burton dies

by · Mail Online

BBC Radio Three presenter Sir Humphrey Burton tragically passed away on Wednesday morning aged 94 its been announced. 

The award-winning broadcaster who worked with legendary figures such as Midnight Cowboy director John Schlesinger and conductor Leonard Bernstein, died peacefully at home with his 'deeply loving' family at his side. 

Sir Humphrey's celebrated career saw him host BBC shows Omnibus and In Performance, as well as becoming the broadcaster's first head of music and arts department throughout the 1970s and 1980s. 

In a statement, his family said: 'He was deeply loved by his children and grandchildren, and his commitment to spreading the joy of classical music was so inspiring. He will be missed beyond words. We take comfort in knowing he is now at peace'.

Meanwhile daughter Claire Dibble took to X with a sweet snap of herself alongside her beloved father as she shared the sad news with followers. 

She said: It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my father, Sir Humphrey Burton 25.3.31-17.12.25 at 05:15 this morning at home with family by his side'. 

BBC Radio Three presenter Sir Humphrey Burton has tragically passed away aged 94 its been announced 
The award-winning broadcaster, author and director died peacefully at home with his 'deeply loving' family at his side (pictured 1977) 

Before adding: 'A huge influence on several generations of arts programme makers, he will be missed beyond word'.

The twice-married maestro, leaves behind six children including Radio Three presenter Clemency Burton-Hill.

Suzy Klein, Head of Arts and Classical Music TV at the BBC, said, 'In the history of arts and classical music broadcasting, there are few figures as influential as Sir Humphrey Burton'. 

'His vision, ambition and ability to forge partnerships across borders brought world-class opera, classical music and arts programming into the homes of many millions. Humphrey leaves an enormous legacy at the BBC and beyond, and our thoughts are with his family and friends'.

BBC Radio Three shared their own tribute, saying: 'We are incredibly sad to hear that Sir Humphrey Burton has passed away at the age of 94'. 

'He was a much loved classical music broadcaster and had a huge influence on generations of arts programme makers. Our thoughts are with his family and friends'.

Fans were quick to share their condolences in the comments: 'A great broadcaster from a time when R3 played real classical music. RIP': 'Very sad to hear this. A great broadcaster and I had to great pleasure and joy to work and learn from him . All thoughts with his family and colleagues at this sad time x'.

'So sorry to hear this. He was a great influence during my childhood years. I always watched his TV programmes such as Aquarius, where he helped develop my interest not only in music but in the arts in general': 'An important broadcaster -sorry to hear he has died.'

Sir Humphrey's celebrated career saw him host BBC shows Omnibus and In Performance, as well as being head of the broadcaster's music and arts department (pictured 2002)
Sir Humphrey's celebrated career saw him host BBC shows Omnibus and In Performance  (pictured 1974) 
Daughter Claire Dibble took to X with a sweet snap of herself alongside her beloved father as she shared the sad news with followers.
BBC Radio 3 shared their own tribute, saying: 'We are incredibly sad to hear that Sir Humphrey Burton has passed away at the age of 94. He was a much loved classical music broadcaster'
Fans were quick to share their condolences in the comments

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Sir Henry was knighted by now King Charles, then Prince of Wales, in 2020 for services to classical music and the arts.

Sir Humphrey's celebrated career saw him host BBC shows Omnibus and In Performance, as well as being head of the broadcaster's music and arts department throughout the 1970s and 1980s. 

His 2021 memoir vignettes about friends such as Russell Harty, whose television career Burton initiated, and acquaintances like Sir David Frost. 

Ahead of its publication he told Daily Mail: 'I have completed the first draft - God knows how many hundred thousand words. It took about a year and a half,

During his long creative partnership with Bernstein, he once knocked himself out after walking into a plate glass window, following a heated exchange with the composer.

He awoke to find that Bernstein had left him a note suggesting that they go swimming. 'We ended up surfing in Tel Aviv harbour,'

Back in 2016 Bafta-winning Sir Humphrey, who founded BBC Young Musician, said the corporation should bring the arts onto centre stage instead of ‘tucking it away’ on BBC Four. 

Sir Henry was knighted by now King Charles, then Prince of Wales, in 2020 for services to classical music and the arts
The twice-married maestro, leaves behind six children including Radio Three presenter Clemency Burton-Hill (pictured)

Speaking at Hay Festival in Wales, he said: ‘I’m a good old Reithian. I believe you should maximise audiences some of the time but you should also back what you really believe in. Every now and again you get a good arts programme on BBC One. 

'There’s Imagine, but it’s [shown] a bit late. I’d like to have a better mix: fewer programmes about doing up houses, fewer programmes about recipes,' 

Fewer programmes about knitting because there’s so many of them and there’s no need to have that many.

‘There should be a regular arts programme as there used to be.’

He also said he thought that programmes such as BBC Young Musician would still get good ratings if they returned to prime-time rather than BBC Four.