The Emergence of Man

by John E Pfeiffer

For 30 years Des Lynam has been the face of British sport. An unparalleled broadcaster, he has presented all the major sports events for the BBC and ITV. One of the most famous and best-loved men in the country, his popularity goes hand in hand with a slightly raffish reputation. For the first time this very private man tells his own story. Famously guarded about his private life, Des will set the record straight and talk about his relationships, his childhood days in Ireland, as well as his early marriage and life in 70s London. Des takes us through his 30 years at the BBC from a reporter on local radio to the drama of his top-secret move to ITV, which was front page news on every national newspaper. The World Cups; the Olympic Games, including his reporting of the Israeli shootings in Munich; following Muhammad Ali to his fights in Zaire, Malaysia, and the USA; the Grand National that never was, the IRA threatened race; the programmes he turned down, the ones he wished he had! Des offers a candid account of life behind the scenes as a national broadcaster, the people he has met, the triumphs, the disasters.

In the unique role of top presenter on both main channels, he tells of his five years at ITV, his reasons for going there, and why his decision was justified but in other ways disastrous. One of the most long-awaited autobiographies of recent years, this book gives a frank and opinionated insight into the man behind the myth.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Phil Hodgkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read about one of broadcasting's icons

[Pete Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I zipped through this as it was one of those rare autobiographies where I finished it with more respect for him. It doesn't always happen. Amusing and (seemingly) honest it covers his professional and (un/non)-professional life.

[Conor O'mahony · Rating 5 out of 5]

very candid especially about his love life. Good insights into some of my favourite sports programmes - Grandstand, Match Of The Day, Wimbledon coverage and the Grand National. Well, well worth the read.