Bragg, Melvyn (1939– )

English television presenter and executive, also author, who began presenting and editing the subsequently long-running ITV arts documentary series The South Bank Show in 1978. He was head of arts at London Weekend Television (LWT) from 1982 until 1990, when he was appointed LWT's controller of arts and also chairman of Border Television. He has also presented Start the Week for BBC Radio. In 1997 he conducted a revealing Channel 4 studio interview with Dennis Potter, made shortly before Potter died. His novel A Time to Dance was adapted for television in 1992. His novel The Soldier's Return, written in 1999, won excellent reviews and is considered by critics to be his best novel to date. Melvyn Bragg was created a life peer in 1998.