Vale: Hugh Scully

UK presenter Hugh Scully, best known for Antiques Roadshow, has died, aged 72.

He died on Thursday afternoon while watching television at his Cornwall home.

He hosted Antiques Roadshow for 19 years, alongside Arthur Negus, from 1981 – 2000.

At the time of his departure, he described the programme as always “a delight and one of the best jobs in broadcasting”.

Peter Salmon, who was controller of BBC One between 1997 and 2000, said Scully’s “incredible” 19 years at Antiques Roadshow had won him “a special place in the hearts of so many”.

“Hugh was a great servant of the BBC for more than 30 years. He was a wonderful journalist and presenter…. he will be sadly missed.”

Scully joined the BBC as a freelance journalist in 1965, hosting Nationwide before presenting Antiques Roadshow.

Sue Lawley, who worked with Scully on Nationwide added: “He was a very good presenter – he did the most marvellous pieces for camera and he could write, which was terrific.

“His greatest coup, in his view, was when he persuaded Mrs Thatcher to give him the series of programmes they went on to do together on the Downing Street years.

“In the end he and Mrs Thatcher became firm friends.”

Source: BBC