John Humphrys: The Terrier of Today, in conversation with Justin Webb

‘I’m not sure I’d like me if I was listening to me.’ – John Humphrys

Two weeks ago John Humphrys left the Radio 4 Today programme after 32 years of forensically grilling figures in authority. As a presenter, he inspires love and loathing in equal measure. The Observer’s television critic once wrote that if he ever found himself sitting next to Humphrys at a dinner party he would probably drive a fork through his hand. The Tory politician Jonathan Aitken accused him of ‘poisoning the well of democratic debate’, a comment which prompted an outburst of support for Humphrys, with the Daily Mail describing him as ‘one of the most brilliant journalists in the country’.

This autumn, as Humphrys steps down after 32 years at Today and publishes a long-awaited memoir, A Day Like Today, he comes to the Intelligence Squared stage to give an exclusive, behind-the-scenes account of his extraordinary career.

Turning the tables on him and pitching the questions will be his former Today colleague Justin Webb.

Join us on October 9 and hear Humphrys’ previously untold stories about politicians, celebrities and the BBC, and give his trenchant views on the role of the media in politics and the health of our political system.

Award-winning journalist who has presented the Today programme since January 1987 – almost twice as long as any other presenter. In his 50 years at the BBC he was also their youngest television foreign correspondent and served in Washington during the Watergate years and southern Africa during apartheid and the Rhodesian war. He presented the Nine o’Clock news on BBC1 for six years and has also presented Panorama and On the Ropes on Radio 4. He has chaired Mastermind since 2003. He’s written eight books, including two on the English language and others on the dangers of intensive agriculture and the case for physician assisted suicide.

One of the presenters of Radio 4’s Today programme. He was the BBC’s North America Editor for 8 years, covering the 9/11 attacks and the election of President Obama. He writes regularly for the Radio Times and reviews books for the Sunday Times.

Speakers are subject to change.

Venue:
Emmanuel Centre
9-23 Marsham Street London, SW1P 3DW

Dates