Fyfe Robertson - Revision history

Kurt at 19:15, 11 March 2023

2023-03-11T19:15:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 11 March 2023
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	~~{{Short description\|Scottish television journalist and broadcaster}}~~		{{Infobox writer

	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2017}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=January 2017}}~~
	{{Infobox writer ~~<!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->~~
	~~\| name = Fyfe Robertson~~
	\| image = Fyfe Robertson.jpg		\| image = Fyfe Robertson.jpg
	\| imagesize =		\| imagesize =
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[~~w:Edinburgh\|~~Edinburgh]], [[~~w:Midlothian\|~~Midlothian]], Scotland		\| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland
	\| birth_name = James Fyfe Robertson		\| birth_name = James Fyfe Robertson
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1987\|02\|4\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1987\|02\|04\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[~~w:Eastbourne\|~~Eastbourne]], [[~~w:East Sussex\|~~East Sussex]], [[~~w:England\|~~England]]		\| death_place = [[Eastbourne]], [[East Sussex]], [[England]]
	\| occupation = Television journalist		\| occupation = Television journalist
	\| nationality =		\| nationality =
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	*{{marriage\|Vera Ford\|1978\|1987}}		*{{marriage\|Vera Ford\|1978\|1987}}
	\| partner =		\| partner =
	\| children = 2, [[~~w:Grace Robertson\|~~Grace Robertson]]		\| children = 2, [[Grace Robertson]]
	\| relatives =		\| relatives =
	\| influences =		\| influences =
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	}}		}}

	'''James Fyfe Robertson''' (19 August 1902 – 4 February 1987) was a [[w:Scottish people\|Scottish]] television journalist and broadcaster.<ref name=":0">{{Cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-49502\|title=Robertson, Fyfe [formerly James] (1902–1987), journalist and broadcaster {{!}} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography\|year=2004\|language=en\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49502\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>		'''James Fyfe Robertson''' (19 August 1902 – 4 February 1987) was a [[Scottish people\|Scottish]] television journalist and broadcaster.<ref name=":0">{{Cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-49502\|title=Robertson, Fyfe [formerly James] (1902–1987), journalist and broadcaster {{!}} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography\|year=2004\|language=en\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49502\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

	==Biography==		==Biography==
	Robertson was born in [[~~w:Edinburgh\|~~Edinburgh]], [[~~w:Scotland\|~~Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He was one of six children of Jane Dunlop and James Robertson, a miner who became a minister in the [[~~w:United Free Church of Scotland\|~~United Free Church of Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He grew up in poverty but attended the [[~~w:High School of Glasgow\|~~High School of Glasgow]].		Robertson was born in [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He was one of six children of Jane Dunlop and James Robertson, a miner who became a minister in the [[United Free Church of Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He grew up in poverty but attended the [[High School of Glasgow]].

	After briefly studying medicine at [[w:Glasgow University]], he became a reporter firstly with the ''[[w:Glasgow Herald\|Glasgow Herald]]'', then ''[[w:Shrewsbury Chronicle\|Shrewsbury Chronicle]]'' (1921)<ref>{{cite work\|title=Through Nine Reigns, 200 years of the Shrewsbury Chronicle\|publisher=Shrewsbury Chronicle\|date=23 November 1972\|page=53}} Bi-centenary souvenir.</ref> and later, in London with the ''[[w:Daily Herald (UK newspaper)\|Daily Herald]]'' and ''[[w:Daily Express\|Daily Express]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/gh7g8P3tFsx6bxCN3RQWWV/fyfe-robertson\|title=BBC One - Watching Ourselves: 60 Years of TV in Scotland - Fyfe Robertson\|website=BBC\|language=en-GB\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>		After briefly studying medicine at [[Glasgow University]], he became a reporter firstly with the ''[[Glasgow Herald\|Glasgow Herald]]'', then ''[[Shrewsbury Chronicle\|Shrewsbury Chronicle]]'' (1921)<ref>{{cite work\|title=Through Nine Reigns, 200 years of the Shrewsbury Chronicle\|publisher=Shrewsbury Chronicle\|date=23 November 1972\|page=53}} Bi-centenary souvenir.</ref> and later, in London with the ''[[Daily Herald (UK newspaper)\|Daily Herald]]'' and ''[[Daily Express\|Daily Express]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/gh7g8P3tFsx6bxCN3RQWWV/fyfe-robertson\|title=BBC One - Watching Ourselves: 60 Years of TV in Scotland - Fyfe Robertson\|website=BBC\|language=en-GB\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

	In 1943 Robertson joined ''[[w:Picture Post\|Picture Post]]'' magazine where he was picture editor and feature writer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/scottish-journalist-fyfe-robertson-who-was-born-in-news-photo/2634494\|title=Scottish journalist Fyfe Robertson who was born in Edinburgh and...\|website=Getty Images\|language=en-gb\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> His investigative abilities led to a crucial exposé of the [[w:Tanganyika groundnut scheme\|Tanganyika groundnut scheme]]. His report was quoted in the [[w:House of Commons of the United Kingdom\|House of Commons]].		In 1943 Robertson joined ''[[Picture Post\|Picture Post]]'' magazine where he was picture editor and feature writer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/scottish-journalist-fyfe-robertson-who-was-born-in-news-photo/2634494\|title=Scottish journalist Fyfe Robertson who was born in Edinburgh and...\|website=Getty Images\|language=en-gb\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> His investigative abilities led to a crucial exposé of the [[Tanganyika groundnut scheme\|Tanganyika groundnut scheme]]. His report was quoted in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom\|House of Commons]].

	When ''Picture Post'' closed in 1957, he went to work in television.<ref name=":2" /> He is chiefly remembered for his association with the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] programme ''[[w:Tonight (1957 TV series)\|Tonight]]''.<ref name=":1" /> His bearded, haggard face topped by a tweed trilby hat and a slow over-emphatic Scottish voice became well known (usually introducing his reportage with a characteristic "Hellooo therrr, I'm Fyfe Robertson"), which led to parodies on radio comedy shows: firstly by [[Bill Pertwee]] on ''[[Beyond Our Ken]]'' as "Rife Hoverton"; as "Forth Robinson" in ''[[The Men from the Ministry]]''; and also by [[w:Graeme Garden\|Graeme Garden]] (a fellow Scot) on ''[[I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again]]'', who began every item with an alleged Robertson catchphrase "I'm standing here...". Another of his frequently used phrases that was parodied was "I don't know, I really don't know". For ''Tonight'' Robertson travelled widely providing serious stories as well as finding some remarkable eccentrics; he was often described as "our roving reporter".		When ''Picture Post'' closed in 1957, he went to work in television.<ref name=":2" /> He is chiefly remembered for his association with the [[BBC\|BBC]] programme ''[[Tonight (1957 TV series)\|Tonight]]''.<ref name=":1" /> His bearded, haggard face topped by a tweed trilby hat and a slow over-emphatic Scottish voice became well known (usually introducing his reportage with a characteristic "Hellooo therrr, I'm Fyfe Robertson"), which led to parodies on radio comedy shows: firstly by [[Bill Pertwee]] on ''[[Beyond Our Ken]]'' as "Rife Hoverton"; as "Forth Robinson" in ''[[The Men from the Ministry]]''; and also by [[Graeme Garden\|Graeme Garden]] (a fellow Scot) on ''[[I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again]]'', who began every item with an alleged Robertson catchphrase "I'm standing here...". Another of his frequently used phrases that was parodied was "I don't know, I really don't know". For ''Tonight'' Robertson travelled widely providing serious stories as well as finding some remarkable eccentrics; he was often described as "our roving reporter".

	When ''Tonight'' was replaced by ''[[w:24 Hours (TV series)\|24 Hours]]'', Robertson continued in his same investigative manner.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/february/tonight-launched\|title=Tonight launched\|website=www.bbc.com\|language=en\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> He presented a series for [w:[BBC Television\|]], ''Brush Off the Dust'', in which he visited several British museums, commenting on their collections, and in 1975 presented a series, ''Robbie'', which ran for three seasons until 1980.<ref name=":1" />		When ''Tonight'' was replaced by ''[[24 Hours (TV series)\|24 Hours]]'', Robertson continued in his same investigative manner.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/february/tonight-launched\|title=Tonight launched\|website=www.bbc.com\|language=en\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> He presented a series for [[BBC Television\|BBC Television]], ''Brush Off the Dust'', in which he visited several British museums, commenting on their collections, and in 1975 presented a series, ''Robbie'', which ran for three seasons until 1980.<ref name=":1" />

	Despite being a heavy smoker, he remained in good health and in his late 60s took part in two exhausting televised expeditions, crossing the Scottish Highlands on horseback and paddling down the [[w:River Severn\|Severn]] in a [[w:canoe\|canoe]].		Despite being a heavy smoker, he remained in good health and in his late 60s took part in two exhausting televised expeditions, crossing the Scottish Highlands on horseback and paddling down the [[River Severn\|Severn]] in a [[canoe\|canoe]].

	He married Elizabeth (Betty) Smith in 1928 and the couple had two daughters, Elizabeth, a singer and conductor, and [[w:Grace Robertson\|Grace]], a well known photographer. Betty died in 1973 but Robertson married Vera Ford in 1978. In 1986 he experienced a [[w:heart attack\|heart attack]] shortly after appearing as a guest on ''[[w:This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This is Your Life]]'' for [[w:Cliff Michelmore\|Cliff Michelmore]] and died in [[w:Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]] in 1987.		He married Elizabeth (Betty) Smith in 1928 and the couple had two daughters, Elizabeth, a singer and conductor, and [[Grace Robertson\|Grace]], a well known photographer. Betty died in 1973 but Robertson married Vera Ford in 1978. In 1986 he experienced a [[heart attack\|heart attack]] shortly after appearing as a guest on ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This is Your Life]]'' for [[Cliff Michelmore\|Cliff Michelmore]] and died in [[Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]] in 1987.

	He appeared briefly as himself in the comedy film ''[[What a Whopper]]'' (1961).<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://filmography.bfi.org.uk/film/150042525\|title=What a Whopper - BFI Filmography\|website=filmography.bfi.org.uk\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>		He appeared briefly as himself in the comedy film ''[[What a Whopper]]'' (1961).<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://filmography.bfi.org.uk/film/150042525\|title=What a Whopper - BFI Filmography\|website=filmography.bfi.org.uk\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-16T04:12:03Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:12, 15 January 2023
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	* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/T/htmlT/tonight/tonight.htm Tonight TV programme]		* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/T/htmlT/tonight/tonight.htm Tonight TV programme]
	* [http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/tonight/fyfe.jpg Photograph of Robertson]		* [http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/tonight/fyfe.jpg Photograph of Robertson]

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Fyfe}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Fyfe}}

Kurt at 14:58, 8 September 2022

2022-09-08T14:58:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:58, 8 September 2022
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	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland		\| birth_place = [[w:Edinburgh\|Edinburgh]], [[w:Midlothian\|Midlothian]], Scotland
			\| birth_name = James Fyfe Robertson
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1987\|02\|4\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1987\|02\|4\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[Eastbourne]], [[East Sussex]], [[England]]		\| death_place = [[w:Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]], [[w:East Sussex\|East Sussex]], [[w:England\|England]]
	\| occupation = Television journalist		\| occupation = Television journalist
	\| nationality =		\| nationality =
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	\| movement =		\| movement =
	\| spouse =		\| spouse =
			*{{marriage\|Betty Smith\|1928\|1973\|end=d.}}
			*{{marriage\|Vera Ford\|1978\|1987}}
	\| partner =		\| partner =
	\| children = [[w:Grace Robertson\|Grace Robertson]]		\| children = 2, [[w:Grace Robertson\|Grace Robertson]]
	\| relatives =		\| relatives =
	\| influences =		\| influences =
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	}}		}}

	'''James Fyfe Robertson''' (19 August 1902 – 4 February 1987) was a [[Scottish people\|Scottish]] television journalist and broadcaster.<ref name=":0">{{Cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-49502\|title=Robertson, Fyfe [formerly James] (1902–1987), journalist and broadcaster {{!}} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography\|year=2004\|language=en\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49502\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>		'''James Fyfe Robertson''' (19 August 1902 – 4 February 1987) was a [[w:Scottish people\|Scottish]] television journalist and broadcaster.<ref name=":0">{{Cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-49502\|title=Robertson, Fyfe [formerly James] (1902–1987), journalist and broadcaster {{!}} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography\|year=2004\|language=en\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49502\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

	==Biography==		==Biography==
	Robertson was born in [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He was one of six children of Jane Dunlop and James Robertson, a miner who became a minister in the [[United Free Church of Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He grew up in poverty but attended the [[High School of Glasgow]].		Robertson was born in [[w:Edinburgh\|Edinburgh]], [[w:Scotland\|Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He was one of six children of Jane Dunlop and James Robertson, a miner who became a minister in the [[w:United Free Church of Scotland\|United Free Church of Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He grew up in poverty but attended the [[w:High School of Glasgow\|High School of Glasgow]].

	After briefly studying medicine at [[Glasgow University]], he became a reporter firstly with the ''[[Glasgow Herald]]'', then ''[[Shrewsbury Chronicle]]'' (1921)<ref>{{cite work\|title=Through Nine Reigns, 200 years of the Shrewsbury Chronicle\|publisher=Shrewsbury Chronicle\|date=23 November 1972\|page=53}} Bi-centenary souvenir.</ref>~~{{better source\|date=October 2018}}~~ and later, in London with the ''[[Daily Herald (UK newspaper)\|Daily Herald]]'' and ''[[Daily Express]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/gh7g8P3tFsx6bxCN3RQWWV/fyfe-robertson\|title=BBC One - Watching Ourselves: 60 Years of TV in Scotland - Fyfe Robertson\|website=BBC\|language=en-GB\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>		After briefly studying medicine at [[w:Glasgow University]], he became a reporter firstly with the ''[[w:Glasgow Herald\|Glasgow Herald]]'', then ''[[w:Shrewsbury Chronicle\|Shrewsbury Chronicle]]'' (1921)<ref>{{cite work\|title=Through Nine Reigns, 200 years of the Shrewsbury Chronicle\|publisher=Shrewsbury Chronicle\|date=23 November 1972\|page=53}} Bi-centenary souvenir.</ref> and later, in London with the ''[[w:Daily Herald (UK newspaper)\|Daily Herald]]'' and ''[[w:Daily Express\|Daily Express]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/gh7g8P3tFsx6bxCN3RQWWV/fyfe-robertson\|title=BBC One - Watching Ourselves: 60 Years of TV in Scotland - Fyfe Robertson\|website=BBC\|language=en-GB\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

	In 1943 Robertson joined ''[[Picture Post]]'' magazine where he was picture editor and feature writer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/scottish-journalist-fyfe-robertson-who-was-born-in-news-photo/2634494\|title=Scottish journalist Fyfe Robertson who was born in Edinburgh and...\|website=Getty Images\|language=en-gb\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> His investigative abilities led to a crucial exposé of the [[Tanganyika groundnut scheme]]. His report was quoted in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom\|House of Commons]].		In 1943 Robertson joined ''[[w:Picture Post\|Picture Post]]'' magazine where he was picture editor and feature writer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/scottish-journalist-fyfe-robertson-who-was-born-in-news-photo/2634494\|title=Scottish journalist Fyfe Robertson who was born in Edinburgh and...\|website=Getty Images\|language=en-gb\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> His investigative abilities led to a crucial exposé of the [[w:Tanganyika groundnut scheme\|Tanganyika groundnut scheme]]. His report was quoted in the [[w:House of Commons of the United Kingdom\|House of Commons]].

	When ''Picture Post'' closed in 1957, he went to work in television.<ref name=":2" /> He is chiefly remembered for his association with the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Tonight (1957 TV series)\|Tonight]]''.<ref name=":1" /> His bearded, haggard face topped by a tweed trilby hat and a slow over-emphatic Scottish voice became well known (usually introducing his reportage with a characteristic "Hellooo therrr, I'm Fyfe Robertson"), which led to parodies on radio comedy shows: firstly by [[Bill Pertwee]] on ''[[Beyond Our Ken]]'' as "Rife Hoverton"; as "Forth Robinson" in ''[[The Men from the Ministry]]''; and also by [[Graeme Garden]] (a fellow Scot) on ''[[I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again]]'', who began every item with an alleged Robertson catchphrase "I'm standing here...". Another of his frequently used phrases that was parodied was "I don't know, I really don't know". For ''Tonight'' Robertson travelled widely providing serious stories as well as finding some remarkable eccentrics; he was often described as "our roving reporter".		When ''Picture Post'' closed in 1957, he went to work in television.<ref name=":2" /> He is chiefly remembered for his association with the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] programme ''[[w:Tonight (1957 TV series)\|Tonight]]''.<ref name=":1" /> His bearded, haggard face topped by a tweed trilby hat and a slow over-emphatic Scottish voice became well known (usually introducing his reportage with a characteristic "Hellooo therrr, I'm Fyfe Robertson"), which led to parodies on radio comedy shows: firstly by [[Bill Pertwee]] on ''[[Beyond Our Ken]]'' as "Rife Hoverton"; as "Forth Robinson" in ''[[The Men from the Ministry]]''; and also by [[w:Graeme Garden\|Graeme Garden]] (a fellow Scot) on ''[[I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again]]'', who began every item with an alleged Robertson catchphrase "I'm standing here...". Another of his frequently used phrases that was parodied was "I don't know, I really don't know". For ''Tonight'' Robertson travelled widely providing serious stories as well as finding some remarkable eccentrics; he was often described as "our roving reporter".

	When ''Tonight'' was replaced by ''[[24 Hours (TV series)\|24 Hours]]'', Robertson continued in his same investigative manner.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/february/tonight-launched\|title=Tonight launched\|website=www.bbc.com\|language=en\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> He presented a series for [[BBC Television]], ''Brush Off the Dust'', in which he visited several British museums, commenting on their collections, and in 1975 presented a series, ''Robbie'', which ran for three seasons until 1980.<ref name=":1" />		When ''Tonight'' was replaced by ''[[w:24 Hours (TV series)\|24 Hours]]'', Robertson continued in his same investigative manner.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/february/tonight-launched\|title=Tonight launched\|website=www.bbc.com\|language=en\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> He presented a series for [w:[BBC Television\|]], ''Brush Off the Dust'', in which he visited several British museums, commenting on their collections, and in 1975 presented a series, ''Robbie'', which ran for three seasons until 1980.<ref name=":1" />

	Despite being a heavy smoker, he remained in good health and in his late 60s took part in two exhausting televised expeditions, crossing the Scottish Highlands on horseback and paddling down the [[River Severn\|Severn]] in a [[canoe]].		Despite being a heavy smoker, he remained in good health and in his late 60s took part in two exhausting televised expeditions, crossing the Scottish Highlands on horseback and paddling down the [[w:River Severn\|Severn]] in a [[w:canoe\|canoe]].

	He married Elizabeth (Betty) Smith in 1928 and the couple had two daughters, Elizabeth, a singer and conductor, and [[Grace Robertson\|Grace]], a well known photographer. Betty died in 1973 but Robertson married Vera Ford in 1978. In 1986 he experienced a [[heart attack]] shortly after appearing as a guest on ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This is Your Life]]'' for [[Cliff Michelmore]] and died in [[Eastbourne]] in 1987.		He married Elizabeth (Betty) Smith in 1928 and the couple had two daughters, Elizabeth, a singer and conductor, and [[w:Grace Robertson\|Grace]], a well known photographer. Betty died in 1973 but Robertson married Vera Ford in 1978. In 1986 he experienced a [[w:heart attack\|heart attack]] shortly after appearing as a guest on ''[[w:This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This is Your Life]]'' for [[w:Cliff Michelmore\|Cliff Michelmore]] and died in [[w:Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]] in 1987.

	He appeared briefly as himself in the comedy film ''[[What a Whopper]]'' (1961).<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://filmography.bfi.org.uk/film/150042525\|title=What a Whopper - BFI Filmography\|website=filmography.bfi.org.uk\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>		He appeared briefly as himself in the comedy film ''[[What a Whopper]]'' (1961).<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://filmography.bfi.org.uk/film/150042525\|title=What a Whopper - BFI Filmography\|website=filmography.bfi.org.uk\|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

Kurt at 14:34, 8 September 2022

2022-09-08T14:34:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:34, 8 September 2022
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	{{Short description\|Scottish television journalist and broadcaster}}		{{Short description\|Scottish television journalist and broadcaster}}
	~~{{One source\|date=June 2018}}~~
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2017}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2017}}
	{{Use British English\|date=January 2017}}		{{Use British English\|date=January 2017}}
	{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->		{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
	\| name = Fyfe Robertson		\| name = Fyfe Robertson
	\| image =		\| image = Fyfe Robertson.jpg
	\| imagesize =		\| imagesize =
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	~~\| pseudonym =~~
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1902\|08\|19\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland		\| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland
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	\| spouse =		\| spouse =
	\| partner =		\| partner =
	\| children = [[Grace Robertson]]		\| children = [[w:Grace Robertson\|Grace Robertson]]
	\| relatives =		\| relatives =
	\| influences =		\| influences =

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-07-22T12:45:38Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 07:45, 22 July 2022
(No difference)

en>Simeon: Adding local short description: "Scottish television journalist and broadcaster", overriding Wikidata description "British journalist" (Shortdesc helper)

2021-12-17T21:30:32Z

Adding local short description: "Scottish television journalist and broadcaster", overriding Wikidata description "British journalist" (Shortdesc helper)

New page

{{Short description|Scottish television journalist and broadcaster}}
{{One source|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = Fyfe Robertson
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| pseudonym =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1902|08|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland
| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|02|4|1902|08|19|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Eastbourne]], [[East Sussex]], [[England]]
| occupation = Television journalist
| nationality =
| period =
| genre =
| subject =
| movement =
| spouse =
| partner =
| children = [[Grace Robertson]]
| relatives =
| influences =
| influenced =
| signature =
| website =
}}

'''James Fyfe Robertson''' (19 August 1902 – 4 February 1987) was a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] television journalist and broadcaster.<ref name=":0">{{Cite ODNB|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-49502|title=Robertson, Fyfe [formerly James] (1902–1987), journalist and broadcaster {{!}} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|year=2004|language=en|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49502|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

==Biography==
Robertson was born in [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He was one of six children of Jane Dunlop and James Robertson, a miner who became a minister in the [[United Free Church of Scotland]].<ref name=":0" /> He grew up in poverty but attended the [[High School of Glasgow]].

After briefly studying medicine at [[Glasgow University]], he became a reporter firstly with the ''[[Glasgow Herald]]'', then ''[[Shrewsbury Chronicle]]'' (1921)<ref>{{cite work|title=Through Nine Reigns, 200 years of the Shrewsbury Chronicle|publisher=Shrewsbury Chronicle|date=23 November 1972|page=53}} Bi-centenary souvenir.</ref>{{better source|date=October 2018}} and later, in London with the ''[[Daily Herald (UK newspaper)|Daily Herald]]'' and ''[[Daily Express]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/gh7g8P3tFsx6bxCN3RQWWV/fyfe-robertson|title=BBC One - Watching Ourselves: 60 Years of TV in Scotland - Fyfe Robertson|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

In 1943 Robertson joined ''[[Picture Post]]'' magazine where he was picture editor and feature writer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/scottish-journalist-fyfe-robertson-who-was-born-in-news-photo/2634494|title=Scottish journalist Fyfe Robertson who was born in Edinburgh and...|website=Getty Images|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> His investigative abilities led to a crucial exposé of the [[Tanganyika groundnut scheme]]. His report was quoted in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].

When ''Picture Post'' closed in 1957, he went to work in television.<ref name=":2" /> He is chiefly remembered for his association with the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Tonight (1957 TV series)|Tonight]]''.<ref name=":1" /> His bearded, haggard face topped by a tweed trilby hat and a slow over-emphatic Scottish voice became well known (usually introducing his reportage with a characteristic "Hellooo therrr, I'm Fyfe Robertson"), which led to parodies on radio comedy shows: firstly by [[Bill Pertwee]] on ''[[Beyond Our Ken]]'' as "Rife Hoverton"; as "Forth Robinson" in ''[[The Men from the Ministry]]''; and also by [[Graeme Garden]] (a fellow Scot) on ''[[I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again]]'', who began every item with an alleged Robertson catchphrase "I'm standing here...". Another of his frequently used phrases that was parodied was "I don't know, I really don't know". For ''Tonight'' Robertson travelled widely providing serious stories as well as finding some remarkable eccentrics; he was often described as "our roving reporter".

When ''Tonight'' was replaced by ''[[24 Hours (TV series)|24 Hours]]'', Robertson continued in his same investigative manner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/february/tonight-launched|title=Tonight launched|website=www.bbc.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> He presented a series for [[BBC Television]], ''Brush Off the Dust'', in which he visited several British museums, commenting on their collections, and in 1975 presented a series, ''Robbie'', which ran for three seasons until 1980.<ref name=":1" />

Despite being a heavy smoker, he remained in good health and in his late 60s took part in two exhausting televised expeditions, crossing the Scottish Highlands on horseback and paddling down the [[River Severn|Severn]] in a [[canoe]].

He married Elizabeth (Betty) Smith in 1928 and the couple had two daughters, Elizabeth, a singer and conductor, and [[Grace Robertson|Grace]], a well known photographer. Betty died in 1973 but Robertson married Vera Ford in 1978. In 1986 he experienced a [[heart attack]] shortly after appearing as a guest on ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)|This is Your Life]]'' for [[Cliff Michelmore]] and died in [[Eastbourne]] in 1987.

He appeared briefly as himself in the comedy film ''[[What a Whopper]]'' (1961).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://filmography.bfi.org.uk/film/150042525|title=What a Whopper - BFI Filmography|website=filmography.bfi.org.uk|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/T/htmlT/tonight/tonight.htm Tonight TV programme]
* [http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/tonight/fyfe.jpg Photograph of Robertson]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Fyfe}}
[[Category:1902 births]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:BBC people]]
[[Category:People educated at the High School of Glasgow]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Scottish television journalists]]
[[Category:20th-century British journalists]]