Michael Grade comes from a family steeped in the history of British television and showbiz, and his career has ranged across programme maker and impresario to board member. His uncle Lord Lew Grade was one of the original bidders for an ITV licence.

1977-1981 Director of programmes at London Weekend Television. Brian Tesler, former managing director and chairman of LWT, described Grade’s tenure as hugely successful, cementing the station’s reputation as a forging ground for the industry’s senior executives, including Greg Dyke, Barry Cox and Sir Christopher Bland.