our faces every night. We were close to being a laughing stock." He was chairman of BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time from 1973 to 1977. He was also a presenter of Songs of Praise. Later, he worked on Thames Television's Reporting London in the 1980s. He appeared, as himself, in the film The Magic Christian. He regulalrly appeared on The Goodies, playing himself as a serious newsreader. In one episode, which was dedicated to punk rock, Barratt was depicted reading the news with a large safety-pin through his nose. In 1972, he was elected Rector of the University of Aberdeen. Barratt wrote several books including Michael Barratt's Complete Gardening Guide, Michael Barratt, Making the Most of the Media, and Making the Most of Retirement. His autobiography, Mr. Nationwide, was published in 2012. Personal life He married twice and had nine children: Joan Warner (3 sons and 3 daughters); marriage dissolved. Nationwide presenter Dilys Morgan on 7 August 1977. (2 sons and 1 daughter). Barratt died in the Thames Hospice in Berkshire on 10 July 2022, aged 94. References External links 1928 births 2022 deaths BBC people British reporters and correspondents English television presenters Panorama (British TV programme) People educated at Rossall School People educated at Paisley Grammar School People from Leeds Rectors of the University of Aberdeen British expatriates in Nigeria Television personalities from Yorkshire