Abstract

In a period where the BBC was and today still is under constant review and pressure to demonstrate its cultural resonance, its commitment to quality and educational purpose, this paper analyses the institution’s use of David Dimbleby in the cultural history programmes Picture of Britain (2005) and How we built Britain, (2007). Dimbleby himself, it is argued, constitutes a part of the Corporation’s own history and representation of tradition, in the character of his front-of-camera presence, as ‘witness’ to landmark events, and as part of a journalistic television dynasty. The paper develops the idea of Dimbleby as ‘television personality’, emanating an aura of the ordinary, familiar and authentic, arguably central to television’s mode of address and a BBC middle brow address to a core audience regarding notions of national identity. The paper also reflects briefly upon the BBC’s development of these projects as multi-platform content for the digital age and the senses of history and identity that this engenders.