#nelson-mandela

#nelson-mandela

He offered the BBC the rights to broadcast it live, but the corporation was nervous. Mandela had been in jail since 1962 and, to the extent that he was a well-known figure, he had been branded a terrorist. Hollingsworth met BBC executive Alan Yentob, who was wavering. Alan, Tony said, you've got to bite the bullet. Eventually Yentob agreed, replying: I'll give you five hours. If the bill improves, I'll increase the time.