Death of World's Longest Serving TV Host Ever

[unloadonme]

Sir Patrick Moore, regular host of BBC's The Sky at Night since 1957 has died today. He was 89 and had become something of a British institution.

Sir Patrick served as a Navigator with RAF Bomber Command during WWII and then worked as a Schoolmaster before starting his TV work. He was also a virtuoso on the xylophone.



RIP Sir Patrick.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20657939

[ChickenGuy]

He was SUCH a big part of my childhood interest in astronomy, when I first got interested in the subject when I was only 8 or 10, and I was given books by relatives as presents for birthday and Christmas, all about the stars and planets.

He hosted his monthly show 'The Sky at Night' for a record-breaking 55 years. He started it in the age of Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin and John Glenn, and lived to see us put a man on the Moon, launch probes to Jupiter and Saturn and as far as Neptune and beyond, build an International Space Station, and put sophisticated robotic rovers on Mars.

A remarkable man.



(the famous theme - the 30 seconds at the beginning and end are the well-known parts)

[star-warrior]

I grew up loving his shows. It was obvious he was ill towards the end, but, his most recent show, aired Monday was his last, thus making him one of the world's longest serving tv personalities, and one that was in the realms of factual science too, makes him a rarity.

Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore was born at Pinner, Middlesex on 4 Mar 1923, died at Farthings, Selsey, West Sussex 9 Dec 2012. RIP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10525469





http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20657939

[star-warrior]

He was one of the greats, his enthusiasm and knowledge and also his "extra-curricular" antics like his xylophone playing were legendary.

[BENDERBOY]

How sad.

[BENDERBOY]

Loved watching his show, one of the few intelligent shows still on.

[BENDERBOY]

A geat loss to British tv.

Not sure if he was too keen on us gayers though.

[ronboy]

While I never had the pleasure of watching him (being on the other side of the pond), he sounds like a familiar, comforting icon of UK culture who was beloved by all.

Rest in peace Sir Patrick.
My respect for Seth's admiration of you is enough to offer my own words of gratitude for you...

[alphaxxx]

He was an inspiration and a legend.
It is such a sad day, I hope he will be remembered for all his work for involving the general public in astronomy and inspiring others with his enthusiasm.

R.I.P Sir Patrick Moore

[pat grimshaw]

(Let's hope we don't hear any Jimmy Savile-type allegations now he's gone)

[talbot57]

The Sky at Night will never be the same, sad loss

[gsdx]

I've never heard of him, and I don't believe his programme has ever been broadcast here. Still, it's an impressive career, and such dedication. Rare these days.

[star-warrior]

(Let's hope we don't hear any Jimmy Savile-type allegations now he's gone)

You really are something, Pat.

He lost his girlfriend in World War II, and never married. A scottish lady librarian friend I knew lost her sweetheart during that time too. She never married. Some folks remain true and persevere through personal tragedy. Lets hope we never suffer irreparable loss like they did.

[TriBi]

I remember his show (and those animated eyebrows) from when I was in England - and that is a very long time ago. RIP.

[LeicsDom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...-patrick-moore

Until the mid-1960s he lived with his mother in East Grinstead, mid-Sussex, where he was a leading light in the chess club, and then in a handsome house made from several cottages in Selsey, on the West Sussex coast, until she died at 94 in 1981. He lived alone for many years after that, but then shared his home with a godson.

[pat grimshaw]

You really are something, Pat.…

Yes I am something.

[pat grimshaw]

^

2.05