Michael Aspel proved he was more than the bland charmer he sometimes appeared to be when he began Aspel & Company, a Saturday night chat show for London Weekend Television.
His touch was lighter and funnier than Parkinson‘s and more modest than Wogan‘s, whom he scooped on a number of occasions.
In his first year, he managed to lure Mrs Thatcher on to the show. She told the nation that she liked to potter around the house, turning out a drawer or two, and accidentally made a joke confessing “I’m always on the job”.
In 1987, Oliver Reed appeared drunk, dishevelled and holding a jug of orange juice. He hijacked the band to sing Wild One and accused fellow guests including Clive James of being tipsy.
Aspel remained calm and James said later “It was one of the most exciting evenings I’ve had since World War Two when I was much further from the front”.
