John Humphrys reveals the on-air incident that made him give up alcohol
John Humphrys narrates a Radio 4 Trainspotting monologue
Legendary presenter John Humphrys, 82, has revealed details of an on-air incident in 1974 that led him to give up alcohol.
While working for the BBC in Washington, covering Richard Nixon’s resignation, Humphrys had consumed a significant amount of alcohol during lunch.
His broadcast assistant warned him about his sobriety before a live satellite broadcast, which he managed to complete despite being “painfully obvious” he was drunk.
Following the broadcast, London informed his assistant that such an incident “can’t” happen again, prompting Humphrys to stop drinking entirely.
Humphrys, who believes he “was an alcoholic” and had a family history of the condition, now drinks very little, often opting for non-alcoholic beer.
