We recently wrote to BBC R4’s Last Word programme suggesting they include more ordinary people – local heroes, we called them – here.
We said: “The stories of those of our fellow-citizens who have lived and struggled and won some and lost some are moving and inspiring. All priests and funeral celebrants know this, as do many undertakers. Every day their life-stories are recounted in crematoria and churches and at gravesides up and down the land, and what stories they are. They celebrate the extraordinariness of ordinary people.”
The producer of Last Word agrees and would like the GFG community to help him out. Here’s what he said:
Dear Mr Cowling,
In answer to your comment I agree, we should do more ordinary people, (whatever that may constitute) and we do try to; take the case of Mick Murphy the cycling brick layer for example.
I believe that for an obituary to be featured on Last Word there must be a story, and the story must be either entertaining or moving in some way, and that is not easy with both the famous and lesser known people.
You may imagine that we have vast resources at the BBC but sadly we do not – in fact it is just me – and often we are dependent on listeners for suggesting people, ordinary or not, to appear on the programme.
I do hope that you will suggest people to me in the future, I cannot promise anything but I will always do my best to oblige.
Spread the word!
Kindest regards
Neil George
Producer BBC Last Word.
Broadcasting House,
Portland Place,
London, W1A 1AA
