Clive James came head to head with the Sex Pistols during their first TV appearance in August 1976.
The broadcaster, who passed away at the age of 80 on Sunday, branded the punk band "little b*****ds" as they took the stage to perform on ITN's music show So It Goes.
The writer, who was co-hosting the programme with Tony Wilson, watched on as the original line of the band- frontman Johnny Rotten, guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock - entertained the live studio crowd with a raucous performance of their song Anarchy.
He then commented: "During the recording, the task of keeping the little bastards under control was given to me.
"With the aid of a radio microphone, I was able to shout them down, but it was a near thing...they attacked everything around them and had difficulty in being polite even to each other.”
Writing in his collumn for The Observer, at the time, he told of his stint on the music show: "One had grown used to pop performers dressing up in silly clothes and pretending to be horrible.
"But here were performers dressing up in silly clothes who really were horrible."
News of the Aussie-born telly star Clive's death broke this afternoon and was confirmed by his agents.
A statement was released by United Agents on behalf of Clive's family, revealing he passed away at his home in Cambridge on Sunday.
A private funeral was later held for close friends and family.
The statement explained: "Clive James, poet, critic and broadcaster, died at his home in Cambridge on Sunday 24th November 2019.
"A private funeral attended by family and close friends took place in the chapel at Pembroke College, Cambridge on Wednesday 27th November.
"Clive died almost ten years after his first terminal diagnosis, and one month after he laid down his pen for the last time.
"He endured his ever-multiplying illnesses with patience and good humour, knowing until the last moment that he had experienced more than his fair share of this 'great, good world'.
"He was grateful to the staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital for their care and kindness, which unexpectedly allowed him so much extra time.
"His family would like to thank the nurses of the Arthur Rank Hospice at Home team for their help in his last days, which allowed him to die peacefully and at home, surrounded by his family and his books."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033
