Ayton Whitaker
Birth nameAyton Richardson Whitaker
Born(1916-05-26)May 26, 1916
Maidenhead, Berkshire, England
DiedAugust 1999 (aged 82–83)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Air Force
Battles/warsSecond World War

Ayton Richardson Whitaker (26 May 1916 – August 1999[1]) was a British producer and director of radio, film and television for the BBC.

Life

Whitaker was born 26 May 1916, in Maidenhead, Berkshire.[2] During the Second World War he was an officer in the Royal Air Force,[3] being captured and spending time as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft III.[4]

Work

From 1945 he was a producer for radio programmes on the BBC Home Service and the Light Programme.[5] These included Mrs Dale's Diary[6] and Dick Barton Special Agent.[7] From 1953 he also began producing television drama.[8] In 1956 he adapted and produced Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward for the radio,[9] but from then on concentrated on producing and directing for television.

He was involved in the creation of the Doctor Who series.[10]

References

  1. ^ Whitaker, Ayton Richardson. "England and Wales, Death Registration Index 1837-2007". Family Search. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  2. ^ BFI Ayton Whitaker
  3. ^ London Gazette 25 July 1941 p 4281
  4. ^ Marilyn Walton and Michael Eberhard (2014) "From Interrogation to Liberation" p 275 ISBN 1491846887
  5. ^ Radio Times 25 November 1945 issue 1156 et sequi
  6. ^ Radio Times 20 February 1948 issue 127 et sequi
  7. ^ Radio Times 1 December 1950 issue 1412 et sequi
  8. ^ Radio Times 29 December 1953 issue 1572 et sequi
  9. ^ Radio Times 8 June 1956 issue 1700
  10. ^ www.televisionheaven.co.uk The origin of Dr Who.
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