Bill Cotton
Encyclopedia
Sir William Frederick "Bill" Cotton, CBE
(23 April 1928 – 11 August 2008) was a British television producer
and executive, and the son of big-band leader Billy Cotton
.
Following a secondary education at the independent school Ardingly College
, he joined BBC Television
as an in-house producer of light entertainment
programmes in 1956, working on various programmes such as his father’s Billy Cotton Band Show
and popular music programme Six-Five Special
.
In 1970, Cotton was promoted to Head of Light Entertainment, following the death of Tom Sloan
in May. In this position, Cotton was responsible for overseeing the production of a whole series of popular and iconic comedy programmes, including The Morecambe and Wise Show (1968), Monty Python's Flying Circus
(1969), The Two Ronnies
(1971) and Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game (1971). Cotton's era was generally seen as the most popular in the history of BBC Light Entertainment, with programmes such as Morecambe and Wise becoming icons of British popular culture and drawing huge audiences, while the more subversive Monty Python provided a more cutting-edge, contemporary and daring complement.
Cotton’s success as Head of Light Entertainment led to his promotion to Controller of BBC One
, the Corporation’s premier and the UK
’s oldest television station, in 1977. He oversaw some of the channel’s highest-ever audience figures in 1979, although this was mostly due to the main opposition, ITV
, being on strike for over a hundred days. Due to a period of ill health, his deputy controller Martin J. O'Connor
stood in as controller of BBC One
from the autumn of 1979 to the spring of 1980.
In 1981 he was replaced as Controller of BBC One
by Alan Hart (television executive) and made the BBC's deputy managing director of television under Alasdair Milne
. In 1984 Cotton was promoted (after being passed over for the post in 1982 in favour of his former BBC One deputy controller Martin J. O'Connor
) to become Managing Director of Television, a role he fulfilled until his retirement from the Corporation in 1988. Cotton subsequently did some freelance executive producing work in the light entertainment area and he has served as Chairman of Noel Gay Television. He was Chairman of Meridian Television from 1988 until 2006.
Cotton was a Vice President of the Marie Curie Cancer Care
charity. He received a BAFTA Fellowship Award in 1998. He was made a Knight Bachelor
for his services to Television Broadcasting and Marie Curie Cancer Care in 2001. He had previously been awarded a CBE
in 1989 and an OBE in 1976.
Cotton was related to television presenter Fearne Cotton
, as he was a cousin of her grandfather.
BBC Two broadcast an evening of programmes that he commissioned as part of a tribute night to him on Boxing Day 2008, including Morecambe & Wise Christmas show of 1971, The Generation Game Christmas Show of 1973, and The Two Ronnies Old Fashioned Christmas Mystery of 1973. There was also a documentary about his career with Michael Grade
, Bruce Forsyth
, Michael Parkinson
, Ronnie Corbett
, Terry Wogan
, & Paul Jackson
among those paying tribute. In addition to this A two part documentary about his life & career was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on New Year's Eve 2008 & New Year's Day 2009 presented by Paul O'Grady
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(23 April 1928 – 11 August 2008) was a British television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
and executive, and the son of big-band leader Billy Cotton
Billy Cotton
William Edward Cotton , better known as Billy Cotton, was a British band leader and entertainer, one of the few whose orchestras survived the dance band era. Today, he is mainly remembered as a 1950s and 1960s radio and television personality, although his musical talent emerged as early as the 1920s...
.
Following a secondary education at the independent school Ardingly College
Ardingly College
Ardingly College is a selective independent co-educational boarding and day school, founded in 1858 by Canon Nathaniel Woodard, included in the Tatler list of top public schools. The college is located in the village of Ardingly near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England, having moved to its present...
, he joined BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
as an in-house producer of light entertainment
Light entertainment
Light entertainment is a term used to describe a broad range of usually televisual performances. These include comedies, variety shows, quiz/game shows, sketch shows and people/surprise shows.-Light entertainment in Britain:...
programmes in 1956, working on various programmes such as his father’s Billy Cotton Band Show
Billy Cotton Band Show
The Billy Cotton Band Show was a popular Sunday afternoon radio programme on the BBC Light Programme from 1949 to 1968.The band leader, Billy Cotton, was a larger-than-life Cockney character who started each show with the cry “Wakey-Wake-aaaay!”, followed by the band’s signature tune “Somebody...
and popular music programme Six-Five Special
Six-Five Special
The Six-Five Special is a British television programme launched in February 1957 when both television and rock and roll were in their infancy in Britain.-Description:...
.
In 1970, Cotton was promoted to Head of Light Entertainment, following the death of Tom Sloan
Tom Sloan (broadcaster)
Thomas James H Sloan, was a British Broadcaster and Journalist and BBC Head of Light Entertainment during the 'Golden Age of British Television' in the 1960s.-Early life:...
in May. In this position, Cotton was responsible for overseeing the production of a whole series of popular and iconic comedy programmes, including The Morecambe and Wise Show (1968), Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a BBC TV sketch comedy series. The shows were composed of surreality, risqué or innuendo-laden humour, sight gags and observational sketches without punchlines...
(1969), The Two Ronnies
The Two Ronnies
The Two Ronnies is a British sketch show that aired on BBC1 from 1971 to 1987. It featured the double act of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, the "Two Ronnies" of the title.-Origins:...
(1971) and Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game (1971). Cotton's era was generally seen as the most popular in the history of BBC Light Entertainment, with programmes such as Morecambe and Wise becoming icons of British popular culture and drawing huge audiences, while the more subversive Monty Python provided a more cutting-edge, contemporary and daring complement.
Cotton’s success as Head of Light Entertainment led to his promotion to Controller of BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, the Corporation’s premier and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
’s oldest television station, in 1977. He oversaw some of the channel’s highest-ever audience figures in 1979, although this was mostly due to the main opposition, ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, being on strike for over a hundred days. Due to a period of ill health, his deputy controller Martin J. O'Connor
Martin J. O'Connor
Martin J. O'Connor was a British television producer and executive. He started his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1954 as an assistant sports producer, working primarily in radio, working his way up to full sports production duties...
stood in as controller of BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
from the autumn of 1979 to the spring of 1980.
In 1981 he was replaced as Controller of BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
by Alan Hart (television executive) and made the BBC's deputy managing director of television under Alasdair Milne
Alasdair Milne
Alasdair David Gordon Milne is a former BBC producer who became Controller of BBC Scotland, the BBC's Director of Programmes and then Director-General of the BBC in July 1982. His resignation was forced by the BBC Governors in January 1987, following pressure from the Thatcher government...
. In 1984 Cotton was promoted (after being passed over for the post in 1982 in favour of his former BBC One deputy controller Martin J. O'Connor
Martin J. O'Connor
Martin J. O'Connor was a British television producer and executive. He started his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1954 as an assistant sports producer, working primarily in radio, working his way up to full sports production duties...
) to become Managing Director of Television, a role he fulfilled until his retirement from the Corporation in 1988. Cotton subsequently did some freelance executive producing work in the light entertainment area and he has served as Chairman of Noel Gay Television. He was Chairman of Meridian Television from 1988 until 2006.
Cotton was a Vice President of the Marie Curie Cancer Care
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Marie Curie Cancer Care is a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom which provides nursing care, free of charge, to terminally ill people, giving them the chance to choose to be cared for at home...
charity. He received a BAFTA Fellowship Award in 1998. He was made a Knight Bachelor
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
for his services to Television Broadcasting and Marie Curie Cancer Care in 2001. He had previously been awarded a CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
in 1989 and an OBE in 1976.
Cotton was related to television presenter Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
, as he was a cousin of her grandfather.
BBC Two broadcast an evening of programmes that he commissioned as part of a tribute night to him on Boxing Day 2008, including Morecambe & Wise Christmas show of 1971, The Generation Game Christmas Show of 1973, and The Two Ronnies Old Fashioned Christmas Mystery of 1973. There was also a documentary about his career with Michael Grade
Michael Grade
Michael Ian Grade, Baron Grade of Yarmouth CBE is a British broadcast executive and businessman. He was BBC chairman from 2004 to 2006 and executive chairman of ITV plc from 2007 to 2009.-Early life:...
, Bruce Forsyth
Bruce Forsyth
Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson, CBE , commonly known as Bruce Forsyth, or Brucie, is an English TV personality...
, Michael Parkinson
Michael Parkinson
Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE is an English broadcaster, journalist and author. He presented his interview programme, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007.- Early life :...
, Ronnie Corbett
Ronnie Corbett
Ronald Balfour "Ronnie" Corbett, OBE is a Scottish actor and comedian of Scottish and English parentage who had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the British television comedy series The Two Ronnies...
, Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
, & Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson may refer to:*Paul Jackson , British television producer*Paul Jackson , British video game publisher*Paul Jackson , English rugby league player...
among those paying tribute. In addition to this A two part documentary about his life & career was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on New Year's Eve 2008 & New Year's Day 2009 presented by Paul O'Grady
Paul O'Grady
Paul James Michael O'Grady MBE is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio DJ. He is best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and, more recently, Paul O'Grady Live, as well as his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage, as...
.
External links
- Sir Bill Cotton - Obituary from The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
- Obituary in The StageThe StageThe Stage is a weekly British newspaper founded in 1880, available nationally and published on Thursdays. Covering all areas of the entertainment industry but focused primarily on theatre, it contains news, reviews, opinion, features and other items of interest, mainly to those who work within the...