Inside the BBC, Michael Wearing was an inspiring rebel, not afraid to speak up on behalf of producers and creative folk at a time when ever more absurd bureaucratic procedures were introduced along with the Thatcherite “internal market” in the 1980s and 90s.
He was also capable of acts of great kindness and solidarity, as when my job as head of community and disability programmes was to disappear in 1998 as part of yet another restructuring under the director general, John Birt.
As soon as he heard, Michael loudly protested on my behalf and ostentatiously took me out for a very expensive lunch, which turned into the longest and booziest meal I ever had in the BBC. I lost count after the sixth bottle of top quality wine as Michael made me feel like a million dollars, appreciative not only of my work in community programmes but also my views on drama.
