For the first seven years of the Sun I was its art director (Editorial, 21 January). Every page that I created had to be shown to the editor, Larry Lamb for his approval. I had chosen a news picture for page three one day in the early 1970s. However, Rupert Murdoch was sitting in the editor’s chair while Larry reclined on the settee the other side of the room. I held up the fully drawn normal page so that Rupert could see it. He said: “Great, Vic.” Then I placed my “fun” – topless – version so that both could see. Larry immediately shouted: “No, that will lose readers.” But Rupert said: “I like it. Let’s print it.” The next day Rupert appeared at my elbow: “Keep that Page 3 style going, for ever.” By the end of the week the circulation figures were climbing at a fantastic rate and continued to do so. Many have claimed the idea as their own. I am happy to tell you that it was it my “fun” Page 3 accident, instantly approved by the chairman.
Vic Giles
London
