79: Peter Griffiths - BBC producer

Radio Moments - Conversations

The boy from Wales whose dad recommended a BBC career – and who was to emerge as the production brain behind some of the UK’s most historic programmes and broadcasts.

In this hour of #radiomoments Conversations, Peter Griffiths tells of his 1970s days training as a BBC studio manager for network radio and the World Service before graduating to produce Woman’s Hour - and to the Radio 4 presentation and continuity production team.

His love of sport took him to the sport and outside broadcast department where he also began to use complementary skills in coverage of major ceremonial events. He shares the secrets of arranging and crafting commentary and of working with the leaders in the field.

Peter opens up about the challenges at the launch of the original BBC Radio 5 – and during a period of controversial Radio 4 change.

As Nelson Mandela was freed from prison, Peter helped teach radio production skills in South Africa – in a period he describes as the most significant in his life - and he created an award-winning powerful documentary on the Soweto uprising.

He talks too about working with John Peel on the creation of ‘Home Truths’; and gives the inside track on the coverage of the funeral of Princess Diana.

In his own words, this is the Peter Griffiths story.

See the whole ‘Conversations’ series here. Theme music from Larry Bryant.