Iain Purdon

Iain Purdon is a retired newsreader from the BBC World Service.^[1]

Biography

Purdon joined the local hospital radio service while at the University of Edinburgh. He went on to work in various computer-related jobs while attempting to pursue a radio career.

Purdon joined BBC Scotland in May 1973 becoming a newsreader and continuity announcer for the Radio 4 Scotland opt-out service. From 1975-1978 he was also a regular TV announcer on BBC One Scotland. He was then appointed to lead the announcer team at the launch of BBC Radio Scotland in 1978, also presenting music magazine programmes. In 1982 he moved to BBC Radio 2 where he became editor of the presentation team until 1994. After a year in local radio at BBC CWR, followed by a spell of freelancing with BBC Radio 4 and BFBS UK, he moved in April 1995 to the BBC World Service^[1] delivering news bulletins on the hour and summaries on the half-hour. These broadcasts are heard around the world. Iain Purdon read the last ever news bulletin from Bush House at 11.00 GMT on 12 July 2012, moving immediately to complete the shift at New Broadcasting House which entered service that day. He retired from the BBC staff in October 2013 but continued to work as an occasional relief newsreader on the World Service until May 2016. After 43 years of delivering BBC news he felt that was enough for anyone!

He plays bass guitar in a vintage rock and roll band, and in another group specialising in the repertoire of The Shadows.

He is an active member of his local parish church.

References