Peter Dimmock was a pioneering influence behind BBC Sport in the early 1950s and the face of broadcasting for much of the following years.

During the Second World War, he served in the RAF as a pilot, then as an Air Ministry staff officer and following demobilisation he began his career in broadcasting.

In 1946, after a period with the Press Association, he joined the BBC as Controller of Television outside broadcasts as a producer and commentator.

He produced both studio and outside broadcasts, ranging from documentaries to sporting, theatrical and public events including the outside broadcast of the Coronation service from Westminster Abbey in 1953, as well as the first televised Grand National.

The multi-talented presenter/producer fronted Sportsview every Wednesday night from 1954-64.

The sports news programme had many fine moments including the report on Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile.

During this time he also fronted the the first decade or so of Sports Personality of the Year, helping to create the form and the style of the programme, much of which remains today.

He moved on to become general manager as well as head of outside broadcasts and then from 1972 until he left the BBC in 1977, he was the general manager of BBC Enterprises.