Tributes were paid yesterday to Sir Bill Cotton, a former BBC executive credited with nurturing a golden age of entertainment at the public service broadcaster during the 1970s.
Sir Bill, who died on Monday at the age of 80, oversaw the introduction of some of the BBC's most popular programmes ever such as The Generation Game, Morecambe & Wise and The Two Ronnies.
Alan Yentob, the BBC's creative director, said Sir Bill was "a wonderful man and an inspirational broadcaster".
"Under his leadership in the seventies, the BBC commissioned and produced a raft of entertainment and comedy which set a benchmark for these genres which has rarely been surpassed. Bill Cotton was always there to remind us that the BBC mission to entertain could be just as ambitious and aspirational as our commitment to inform and educate," he added.
Michael Grade, the ITV chairman who regarded Sir Bill as a mentor, said: "Bill Cotton was simply the greatest television impresario of his or any generation. So many young talents made their way to the TV hall of legends thanks to his influence and guidance . . . Morecambe & Wise, The Two Ronnies, Dave Allen, Cilla Black, Rolf Harris, Val Doonican, Dick Emery and many, many more."
Born in London in 1928, Sir Bill had showbusiness in his blood. His father, also called Bill, was a household name thanks to his leading role in the the Billy Cotton Band Show, which was broadcast by the BBC.
Bill Cotton jr joined the BBC in 1956 as a trainee producer, and was involved in Six-Five Special, one of the broadcaster's first attempts at a live pop music show. He subsequently produced his father's show.
In 1970, he became the BBC's head of light entertainment. His success lay in knowing what audiences wanted, and having the ability to spot and nurture talent.
One of his first moves was to sign up Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker. They were commissioned for an initial 13 week series, but the show eventually ran for 16 years.
Sir Bill came back from a trip to the Netherlands having paid £25 for the rights to a Dutch gameshow called One Out Of Eight. It became The Generation Game, and he persuaded Bruce Forsyth to be host.
After deciding he wanted to establish a US-style chat show, he identified Michael Parkinson as the man to host it.
He brought Morecambe & Wise to the BBC after they had a falling out with ITV over money.
He revelled in the ratings battle with ITV and went on to become controller of BBC1 between 1977 and 1981, when the broadcaster recorded its highest-ever audiences.
At the second attempt, he became managing director of BBC TV in 1984. His challenge was to improve ratings, and he oversaw the introduction of EastEnders and daytime TV.
But Sir Bill was not typical BBC executive material. He was not a university graduate, and reportedly clashed with John Birt, then the BBC's deputy director general and head of news and current affairs. Sir Bill retired from the BBC in 1988.
In 2000, he spoke about the importance of the BBC having light entertainment at its heart, as well as news and current affairs.
"One of the reasons that I honestly believe that the care taken on light entertainment had to be the same care as that taken for ballet, or opera, or serious drama, is because you are contributing to the culture of the country," he said. "I think it's sad if it isn't."
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