A show that will be missed 

The South Bank Show has been going for a very long time – since January 1978 – and now, after being pushed further and further into the dimmest reaches of the late-night schedules, it’s being axed altogether. This might not be such a cause for dismay if one could feel convinced that anything even approaching its calibre will replace it.

Over the years, Melvyn Bragg has fronted a pretty breathtaking array of thoughtful, revealing, in-depth interviews with subjects ranging from Dennis Potter and Tom Stoppard; Frank Auerbach and Francis Bacon to Pete Townshend and George Michael, Ken Russell and Spike Lee. There were dancers and actors, choreographers and film and theatre directors, actors and painters, writers and singers, pianists, violinists, architects and comedians. It’s a terrific achievement, and should be celebrated.