King Edward VIII abdication, John Reith- 1936

There are some moments in broadcasting you only get one chance to get right. For both John Reith and the King, this was one such event.

It was the 11th of December 1936. BBC Director General Sir John Reith spoke on the BBC National Programme to introduce not the King, but 'His Royal Highness, Prince Edward'; given he'd discharged his final duties just a few hours previously. If one needs a reason to relinquish the Throne, maybe falling in love is one of the better ones.

Reith did not quite agree, as he wrote in his diaries: 'What that young man has thrown away - a greater opportunity than any King or any man ever had'. Indeed, some interpreted the bang between continuity and Royalty as Reith slamming ther door. The truth, it is said, was more prosaic: Reith stood aside from the AXBT microphone to make way for Edward and kicked the table leg on so doing.

Now, there'd likely be endless dialogue into the night from shivering correspondents outside Buckingham Palace. Back then, the BBC simply closed down for the night after the broadcast.