Richard Marson
Encyclopedia
Richard Marson is an English
writer
, television producer
and director
, notable as the former editor in chief
of Blue Peter
—a BBC
television program for children. Acting as the program's "unofficial historian
", Marson directed and produced a number of documentaries, including: Children's TV on Trial and Upstairs Downstairs Remembered. In September 2007, Marson was sacked from his post for making an editorial decision on the naming of the new Blue Peter cat, thus overriding the results of online vote on the programme in January 2006.
in 1972, which influenced him to pursue a career with the BBC
in 1988. He worked on many flagship programs including Going Live!, Top of the Pops
and eventually Blue Peter
. Following a brief five years as a freelance job as a Producer and Director for such companies like Disney, Planet 24
and LWT, Marson returned to the BBC
to direct Record Breakers
and Tomorrow's World
and eventually joined Blue Peter
as a Producer in 1998. Marson became first the Series Producer and then the Editor of the show, before being sacked in September 2007.
, ran a competition called 'Whose Shoes?'. More than 13,800 people entered, with calls costing 10p
each, including 3.25p for a Unicef charity. Due to a technical difficulties the researcher was unable to access the callers' details and subsequently select the winner from a guest in the studio without referring the decision to the Editor, Deputy Editor or producer. Along with this, the Blue Peter
staff ignored the result of the online poll to name a new kitten, ignoring the winning name—"Cookie"—and calling the pet "Socks" instead. According to former editor Biddy Baxter's book 'Dear Blue Peter' (see page 283), Marson "had been so concerned about the accuracy of the online votes he made an editorial decision that the kitten (with its four white paws) should be named 'Socks' rather than 'Cookie'. Richard was an inspired editor. His dismissal was a great blow to the programme." Due to Marson's handling and failure to report the incident, he was sacked from CBBC. He had already left Blue Peter in July 2007. Blue Peter was fined £50,000 by Ofcom
.
The BBC subsequently apologized for the gaffe.
were called to the house on the morning of 8 June 2008, whereupon Rupert Marson was pronounced dead at the scene. A memorial
service was held the following week. At the inquest a verdict of 'accidental death' was declared and the Coroner in charge, Edward Thomas, severely criticised the inaccurate reporting of the national press which 'compounded the distress of family and friends'.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, 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 director
Television director
A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...
, notable as the former editor in chief
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
of Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
—a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television program for children. Acting as the program's "unofficial historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
", Marson directed and produced a number of documentaries, including: Children's TV on Trial and Upstairs Downstairs Remembered. In September 2007, Marson was sacked from his post for making an editorial decision on the naming of the new Blue Peter cat, thus overriding the results of online vote on the programme in January 2006.
Early life
Marson won his first Blue Peter badgeBlue Peter badge
A Blue Peter badge is a much coveted award for Blue Peter viewers, given by the children's television programme for those appearing on the show, or in recognition of achievement...
in 1972, which influenced him to pursue a career with the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in 1988. He worked on many flagship programs including Going Live!, Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
and eventually Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
. Following a brief five years as a freelance job as a Producer and Director for such companies like Disney, Planet 24
Planet 24
Planet 24 was a television production company. It produced The Big Breakfast and The Word had an animation division Impossible TV. Bob Geldof and Tony Boland founded Planet Pictures which merged with 24 Hour Productions headed by Charlie Parsons and Waheed, later Lord Alli...
and LWT, Marson returned to the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
to direct Record Breakers
Record Breakers
Record Breakers was a British children's TV show, themed around world records and produced by the BBC and originally presented by Roy Castle with twin brothers Norris McWhirter and Ross McWhirter. It was broadcast on BBC1 from 15 December 1972 to 21 December 2001...
and Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
and eventually joined Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
as a Producer in 1998. Marson became first the Series Producer and then the Editor of the show, before being sacked in September 2007.
Competition rigging fiasco
In October 2006, the children's show, Blue PeterBlue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
, ran a competition called 'Whose Shoes?'. More than 13,800 people entered, with calls costing 10p
Pound (currency)
The pound is a unit of currency in some nations. The term originated in England as the value of a pound of silver.The word pound is the English translation of the Latin word libra, which was the unit of account of the Roman Empire...
each, including 3.25p for a Unicef charity. Due to a technical difficulties the researcher was unable to access the callers' details and subsequently select the winner from a guest in the studio without referring the decision to the Editor, Deputy Editor or producer. Along with this, the Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
staff ignored the result of the online poll to name a new kitten, ignoring the winning name—"Cookie"—and calling the pet "Socks" instead. According to former editor Biddy Baxter's book 'Dear Blue Peter' (see page 283), Marson "had been so concerned about the accuracy of the online votes he made an editorial decision that the kitten (with its four white paws) should be named 'Socks' rather than 'Cookie'. Richard was an inspired editor. His dismissal was a great blow to the programme." Due to Marson's handling and failure to report the incident, he was sacked from CBBC. He had already left Blue Peter in July 2007. Blue Peter was fined £50,000 by Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
.
The BBC subsequently apologized for the gaffe.
Son's death
Richard Marson's son Rupert Marson, 14, died at their St. Albans home, eight months following his father's sacking. PolicePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
were called to the house on the morning of 8 June 2008, whereupon Rupert Marson was pronounced dead at the scene. A memorial
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....
service was held the following week. At the inquest a verdict of 'accidental death' was declared and the Coroner in charge, Edward Thomas, severely criticised the inaccurate reporting of the national press which 'compounded the distress of family and friends'.