Alvar Lidell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alvar Lidell
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| Born |
Tord Alvar Quan Lidell
11 September 1908 |
| Died | 7 January 1981 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | King's College School, Wimbledon |
| Alma mater | Exeter College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Radio announcer, newsreader |
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Notable credit(s)
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BBC News |
| Spouse(s) |
Nancy Corfield
(m. 1938) |
| Children | 3 |
Tord Alvar Quan Lidell (born 11 September 1908 – died 7 January 1981) was a famous English radio announcer and newsreader for the BBC. He was known for his clear, distinctive voice. He joined the BBC in Birmingham in 1932 and moved to London a year later.
Alvar Lidell became a very important announcer for the BBC in 1937. He announced big historical moments, like when King Edward VIII stepped down from the throne. He also announced Britain's declaration of war with Germany in 1939. During World War II, his voice became very well-known as he read the news. He even served in the Royal Air Force for a year. After the war, he continued reading news bulletins until he retired in 1969. He was given an award, the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), in 1964 for his work.
Contents
Who Was Alvar Lidell?
Alvar Lidell's Early Life
Alvar Lidell was born on 11 September 1908 in Wimbledon Park, Surrey, England. He was the third child of Swedish parents. His father, John Adrian Lidell, imported timber. His mother was Gertrud Lidell. His full name was Tord Alvar Quan Lidell, but he used "Alvar" for his career because it was easier for people in Britain to remember.
He went to King's College School in Wimbledon. He enjoyed playing rugby and cricket there. Later, he studied at Exeter College, Oxford. As a boy, he learned to play several musical instruments like the piano, piccolo, and cello. He was also a good singer and actor at Oxford.
Alvar Lidell's Career at the BBC
Starting Out in Radio
After finishing college in 1930, Alvar Lidell tried acting for a while. However, his tall height sometimes made it hard for him to fit into costumes! In 1932, he joined BBC Birmingham as their main announcer. A year later, in September 1933, he moved to London to work for the BBC there.
In 1937, he became the deputy chief announcer. This meant he was involved in some very important broadcasts. He was the only person in the newsroom when he announced that King Edward VIII was giving up his throne in 1936. On 3 September 1939, he read the final warning to Germany from 10 Downing Street. Then, at 11 a.m., he introduced Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who told the country that Britain was now at war with Germany.
Broadcasting During World War II
During World War II, the BBC changed a rule. Before, announcers didn't say their names. But during the war, they started to, so people could tell them apart from enemy propaganda. Alvar Lidell was the first announcer to say his name on the radio. His famous phrase became: "Here is the news, and this is Alvar Lidell reading it."
He broadcast from a special room deep underground at Broadcasting House. He even survived a bomb that fell close to the studio! When the British won an important battle, the Second Battle of El Alamein, he famously announced: "Here is the news, and cracking good news it is too!" He read his last radio news bulletin on 13 February 1943 before joining the armed forces.
After the War and Retirement
On 3 March 1943, Alvar Lidell joined the Royal Air Force as an intelligence officer. He returned to the BBC on 28 February 1944. In September 1946, he became the chief announcer for the new BBC Third Programme.
From 1951, he regularly read news bulletins for the BBC Home Service and the BBC Light Programme. He also did some television work, like for the BBC Proms in 1953. He retired on 11 April 1969 after reading the Nine O'Clock News on BBC Radio 4. He retired because he felt that the way people spoke on the BBC was getting worse.
In May 1969, Alvar Lidell was a guest on the popular radio show Desert Island Discs. His chosen book was the Oxford English Dictionary, and his luxury item was playing cards.
Later Work and Legacy
Even after retiring, Alvar Lidell continued to work. He was a narrator for many audio recordings, including over 237 books for Books for the Blind. He also recorded music pieces and gave singing performances.
In 1979, he wrote an article about the declining standards of spoken English at the BBC. This led the BBC to set up a group of experts to look into the issue.
Recordings of Alvar Lidell's news bulletins have been used in many films and TV shows about World War II, like the 1969 film Battle of Britain. His voice helped bring history to life for new audiences.
Alvar Lidell's Personal Life
Alvar Lidell married Nancy Margaret Corfield on 1 October 1938. They had three children together. He was awarded the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1964.
Alvar Lidell passed away from cancer on 7 January 1981, at Michael Sobell House in Northwood.
