Former director general of the BBC dies at age of 82

Former BBC director general Alasdair Milne has died at the age of 82 after reportedly suffering a series of strokes.

Milne first joined the BBC as a trainee in 1954, rising to the position of controller and director of programmes at BBC Scotland in 1967. During his time at the head of the corporation he encouraged series about Scottish politics, charting the rise of ­nationalism.

He is credited with helping to promote Gaelic, piping and Scottish culture during his time as controller.

He then went on to become the first television producer to be appointed director general at the BBC from 1981 to 1987. 
Milne was born in India, where his father, an Aberdeen surgeon, had emigrated to set up a ­hospital.

Although he grew up in Winchester, he spent much of his early years with his grandparents in Edinburgh, where his grandfather was headmaster of George Heriot’s for 20 years.

BBC acting director general Tim Davie paid tribute to Milne, remembering him as a “charismatic editorial figure” behind some “outstanding” ­programmes. Mr Davie added: “Alasdair Milne was a charismatic editorial figure, who served the BBC for 34 years.”