Today
Last updated June 2005
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The programme
Today is Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme. It is widely considered to be the most significant news broadcast in the UK, and numbers among its listeners most of the country's politicians, opinion-formers and journalists.
Today was launched on the Home Service on 28 October 1957, having been conceived by Sir Robin Day.
It was initially going to be called Morning Miscellany, but
Isa Benzie (Senior Producer), Elizabeth Rowley (Producer in Charge) and Janet Quigley (Chief Assistant, Talks Department) thought Today was a bit catchier.
The first edition contained items about Petula Clark; Verdi; Douglas Bader on air travel; and Eamonn Andrews on boxing.
It was presented by Alan Skempton and Raymond Baxter.
One of the programme's first presenters, the amiable Jack de Manio, always had trouble telling the time - something of a drawback on a breakfast programme.
Today used to begin with Eileen Fowler's Keep Fit.
The review of the day's papers was introduced on Today on 19 May 1959.
Thought for the Day began in 1970 - mainly consisting of Christian speakers. The first Muslim to appear was a 51-year-old South African called Umar Hegedus in 1992.
The tradition of co-presenting began in 1970, when John Timpson joined Jack de Manio in the latter's final year on Today.
Robert Robinson then took over from de Manio in July 1971.
The current editor is Kevin Marsh, who joined the team in November 2002. He started his BBC career as a news trainee in 1978.
The average audience of Today between 7.30am and 8.00am is 2.4 million.
Presenters
The programme currently has a core of five regular presenters: John Humphrys, Sarah Montague, James Naughtie, Carolyn Quinn and Edward Stourton.
Libby Purves was the youngest person to present Today - she joined at the age of 28.
John Humphrys has equalled the late Brian Redhead as the show's longest serving presenters. Redhead presented for 18 years between 1975 and 1993. Humphrys joined the team in January 1987.
Among those who have presented Today over the years are Desmond Lynam; Barry Norman; Michael Aspel; Jenni Murray and Melvyn Bragg.
Sue MacGregor was actually approached to join Today originally in 1978; she finally joined in September 1984.
Politicians and Royalty
Prince Charles' first broadcast interview was with Jack de Manio on Today on St David's Day 1969 from Buckingham Palace. He wrote and broadcast a Thought for The Day on 8 May 1995.
Since its inception, every Prime Minister has appeared on the programme - from Harold Macmillan to Tony Blair.
Margaret Thatcher phoned Today live from Downing Street on the morning of Thursday 8 December 1988 when she learnt that Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev had cancelled his trip to Britain because of the Armenian earthquake. She said she understood his decision. Mrs Thatcher revealed it took a few minutes to get through to Today because they thought her call was a hoax!
Paddy Ashdown once sent an email to Today from the garden of his holiday home in France.
Former Minister Jonathan Aitken accused John Humphrys of interrupting the then Chancellor Kenneth Clarke 32 times in one interview.
Both Labour and the Conservatives have levelled accusations of bias against Today.
Personality of the Year
Today's Man and Woman of the Year Awards began in 1982 and were dropped between 1991 and 1993 - but resurrected in 1994, becoming Personality of the Year.
Winners include Roy Castle (1994, posthumously awarded); murdered headteacher Philip Lawrence (1995, posthumously awarded); and Margaret Thatcher, who won a record eight times.
In 1990, the programme discounted the votes of Lal Krishan Advani, a prominent Hindu politician, after there was evidence of a mass 'write in' on his behalf.
In 1996 voting had to be stopped early after it was revealed that the Labour party was trying to organise a mass vote for Tony Blair. 4,000 votes had to be taken from eventual winner John Major when evidence was revealed of a mass 'ring in' from his supporters. Primary school teacher Lisa Potts came second.
The things they said
Brian Redhead's famous quote about Today: "If you want to drop a word in the ear of the nation, then this is the programme in which to do it."
Brian Redhead on presenting Today: "It's a marvellous job. I think it fits me like a glove. I say that not meaning that I think I do it well or anything, but I'm happy doing it. I sit there gurgling with happiness."
Virginia Bottomley: "It has an extraordinary influence in national life. I'm only really off-duty if I leave the country and cannot hear the Today programme."
