1980: FRED DIBNAH Interview | Russell Harty | Classic Interviews | BBC Archive

"He lives dangerously... in Bolton."
Russell Harty chats to Fred Dibnah, the Bolton steeplejack and steam enthusiast who has become something of an overnight national treasure, after a BBC documentary showcased his extraordinary skill, bravery and down-to-earth Lancastrian wit. How did end up becoming a steeplejack?
Clip taken from Russell Harty, originally broadcast on BBC One, 11 December, 1980.
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[@andypandy9013]

If ever the term "National Treasure" was appropriate then it was for Fred. Rest in Peace fella. We miss you.

[@JJONNYREPP]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/onbNdnqYdqutgLcfeature=shared

[@eamonnquigley2125]

oh yes hes a national treasure alright in a time when real men did heavy work and just got on with it brilliant just dont make them like fred anymore love his you tube videos

[@RealGrooveRandom]

You get on national television.. you whack on a sharp suit.. sit down.. and spark up!!! Fred you're a true legend my man!!!

[@chendy8674]

It’s so awesome isnt it? Proper, proper legend 👌🏼👏🏼

[@josephturner7569]

Fred. Probably last man to light one up on telly.

[@stejer211]

1980? Wouldn't think so, lol.

[@badgermcspoon11]

Bet Lynch lit one in the 90s

[@josephturner7569]

@@badgermcspoon11 Not on live TV.

[@josephturner7569]

As a character. Not being interviewed.

[@geek9642]

Thy lit a cigarette on top gear right after the ban 😂

[@MarkStevens8899]

Fred - absolute legend.

[@TestGearJunkie.]

Top bloke.

[@Stickleback]

Oh i

[@Ravendarkwytch]

You know I used to watch Russell Harty regularly but watching this I can’t get over how arrogant he is. He doesn’t even let Fred answer his questions without interrupting him.

[@peterharvey1762]

Why do you think Grace jones gave him a slapping in an interview 😮😂😂

[@Ravendarkwytch]

@@peterharvey1762 I thought that was because he pretty much blanked her

[@MrDavey2010]

Harty was a terrible snob. I met him many years ago and he was not a nice man.

[@An4gram]

He’s a dick

[@SamMcDonald83]

Did seem like he was trying to goad Fred, but I think Fred was too clever to take the bait

[@lindsaygilmore1771]

Fred is pure class, old school working man. I can watch and listen to him all day. Very intelligent man. Self taught.

[@Paddyandpoppy]

He was a natural in front of the camera, nerves of steel and a love of everything industrial, great man to watch and listen to. Big loss when he died.

[@user-sd1ot9tj4t]

What a brilliant guy he was. Talented in so many ways and really great personality. A true British star. Is there anyone like him still left. I doubt it.

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

Who Rustle Hardy ????🌈🌰🍆🌰

[@theoracle7148]

Of course there is

[@user-sd1ot9tj4t]

@@theoracle7148 Name one then, and please don't say Ant & Dec

[@1mikefrost]

How can two people be one ?

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

@@1mikefrost I dont know how can two people be one ???

[@andywotjuno9954]

Classic Fred speak, ever so true today “Britain built by men in boiler suits and destroyed by men in suits”

[@johnbull1986]

Farage being one of the men in suits.

[@darenwilliams5858]

@@johnbull1986 Farage has never been in power to destroy the country . Typical far left bollox

[@daveevans2696]

​@@johnbull1986and Trump, don't forget Trump!! Nurse!!🤣🤣🐄💨🐄💨

[@johnbull1986]

@@daveevans2696 indeed. Another privately educated millionaire convincing working class people to vote for things that aren't in their best interest. Exactly.

[@owenmartin3307]

​@@johnbull1986 I'm living in Ireland and believe me life in the EU is pretty terrible at the moment. Men in suits have destroyed ireland too.

[@davidcarrol110]

Fred Dibnah showing Harty how to conduct an interview.

[@lioncurlew]

Harty over talking Fred.

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

@@lioncurlew Harty was a prat.

[@Cris.d.em71]

A real man... I salute you Mr Dibnah , sir..!

[@mattsan70]

its not hard to dislike Russell Harty

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Always interrupting and pretty condescending.

[@tonemc6047]

Wrong un

[@harleythebrit6386]

Bent as a nine bob note ...

[@Murf-cz1iv]

@@harleythebrit6386bent as a rams horn

[@waynep613]

Apparently he died from liver failure due to hep A related to HIV/aids that he caught from using teenage male prostitutes

[@andygarner7747]

Hard to believe he was only 42 years old when he gave this interview.

[@NickBFTD]

I was going to comment the same, looks more like he is approaching 60.

[@Joe74854]

@@NickBFTD that’s what grafting for a living does to you

[@waterboy8999]

​@@Joe74854 And smoking

[@misterbonzoid5623]

@@waterboy8999 Exactly

[@martymartin2894]

True, people back that time aged very badly. Hard work mostly Id agree.

[@herbie0408]

Even in Australia we knew of Fred, what an incredible guy. It almost seems like an upper class v's working class interview,. If Fred had slapped Russell Harty like Grace Jones did his head would have flown off.

[@phillipecook3227]

Russell Harty wasn't upper class. He was a school teacher and a great interviewer. While alive he was the only real rival to Michael Parkinson.

[@eclectica1]

​@@phillipecook3227 Doesn't matter about class, he was still very rude at times to his interview subjects.

[@herbie0408]

@@phillipecook3227 Thanks for that, he does come across somewhat rude in this interview, appears a bit of a toffee-nosed git at times.

[@mattedwards1880]

​@@herbie0408yep, that's how it seemed to me too

[@misterbonzoid5623]

Grace Jones was a poseur.

[@simonsays335]

Absolute legend, there will never be another like him :(

[@secretagentbloke]

I don’t recall ever seeing Fred so dapper! He was usually found in either a boiler suit or dungarees. What a top bloke. He eventually got to scale that chimney in Darwen kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYOWXoyteb-lsMksi=Lm59GAG3skNpAWF5

[@NathanMcCabe88]

Or without his cap on!!!

[@catweasle5737]

He was dressed up here that's for sure. Somewhere on youtube, you may find a video of him talking at a formal dinner. He tells that story, he mentioned here, about his traction engine going down that hill.

[@Dan23_7]

Thanks for the link 👍🏼

[@gavinparry5426]

True Legend. RIP Fred

[@leecannon6883]

I remember in the late 70's when his steam roller Betsy ran out of water going through Bollington, Cheshire so my dad's mate Chaz had a very long hose from his house to refill it while as a kid I got to ride on it. Top bloke was our Fred!

[@danieljones3955]

Fred Dibnah is my hero the best Englishman I ever knew should be a proper memorial to this great man

[@RolandoRatas]

Fred Dibnah, salt of the Earth type guy who had some 'true grit'.

[@lcship1905]

England has changed a lot -not for the better, in fact it's tragic. My dad was a fan of Fred's ( and a certain Mr Powell).

[@garywinterbottom6073]

Icon is a word too commonly used but for Fred it was very appropriate he was a true working man hard as nails. 😊

[@losendos194]

Fred Dibnah. If ever we needed men like him, it's now. Balls the size of football's and made of steel. RIP Fred.

[@derekstocker6661]

Fred was part of the most amazing programme ever on television. The skill, the danger, and the entertainment was immeasurable. Thanks so much for this video. RIP Fred and Russell.

[@MunchyToy]

Love Fred Dibnah more than most of my own family.

[@jingalls9142]

I can certainly sympathize with that sentiment lol

[@fredMplanenut]

Always good to hear Fred talk, when he's allowed to. Never ceases to amaze me when an interviewer hasn't a clue about the subject.

[@rockyv1balboa776]

Fred Dibnah the man Had BALLS OF STEEL 💯 R.I.P 🙏🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿✌🏻

[@MASTERATCOD4]

Those chimney climbs are terrifying. Vertigo kick's in watching still great TV watch hours of his shows over the years.

[@laurakelley6247]

Absolute legend is Fred 🫶👍 Reminds me of my childhood right there growing up in Bolton seeing him out an about and doing what he does best what a guy👍👍 Im still smoking 🚬 too this day obviously in great honour of our Mr Dibnah doing it in style 😂🫶 Forever remembered❤️

[@kippas2012]

This is what we should be applauding people for absolute passion for his craft 😊

[@JimJim-kh8rw]

Astonishing man. So sad that we won't see this ever again. LEGEND FRED 😢

[@nigelcarren]

Seeing Fred without his hat is making me uncomfortable, I can't imagine how he felt? "I prefer my women in stockings and suspenders!" Fred Dibnah. Man's man, legend. ⚒️🇬🇧⚒️

[@robertanderson3029]

"it's a belter, sucks your house slipper's off" when he's asked about the new chimney he built on his mam's house had me laughing myself to tears, I've seen and heard lots about it on KZbin while watching everything i can find on Fred, would love to see for real, its a hell of chimney for a wee house like his mam's

[@Frank_Nemo]

I had forgotten just how much of a reptile Russell Harty was.

[@tresparivet6348]

A big thank you for posting! I have all of Fred's DVD's and memories of Fred on the TV, but I've never seen this clip.

[@pmacc3557]

Love watching Fred...find his voice and the times calming

[@citizenseventies6738]

Watching Russell Harty as a child, you don't realise at the time how arrogant he could be. Amazing that Russell was actually older than Fred, by four years !!! - Fred here looks and sounds old enough to be his Dad ! Fred is a legend and I can remember as a kid watching his programmes that were on telly around the time of this interview. I thought his first wife Alison was very attractive and a lovely woman though I never liked that social worker who he ended up marrying a few years later who came across as rather controlling and a bit toxic. I would have loved to have met him over a couple of pints of Bitter. Fred was a true one-off - A proper old skool Lancastrian. RIP.

[@mattbod]

I could listen to Fred talking all day. I love that Bolton accent: “yer naww”! Lol. Just watching him on that chimney makes my skin crawl though. Love how he lights up talking traction engines.

[@SagaciousFrank]

Gives me the willies just seeing that old stock footage of him causally climbing that tall ladder without any safety equipment whatsoever. Legend.

[@pleasantville4529]

I sometimes wonder what Fred would think of our country now.

[@SagaciousFrank]

@@pleasantville4529 , he already saw the decline himself, he commented on it, but drawing a parallel because us and fall of the Roman Empire and something else I can't type because the censors will nuke my comment. He was also interviewed about the wanton vandalism of gravestones in the 90's, and he was bob-on with that assessment, ascribing it primarily to family breakdown (sadly this happened to Fred himself twice) and not having anything to fear from authority.

[@stejer211]

He did use safety equipment. Back then they called it a brain.

[@eldoncollins7254]

Great comment.​@@stejer211

[@donhanlon7121]

​@@stejer211Best comment in years👌, Fred was a national treasure and a real man watched his shows over and over down the years☘️🇮🇪

[@dannycarter1966]

Fred was incredible. He looks stage struck, feet on the ground, sweating profusely, yet climbing up a 500 foot chimney with no harness and he doesnt bat an eyelid.

[@starofdavid9919]

Fred Dibnah absolute legend of a man then there's Russell Harty.

[@apacherider7110]

Fred was a legend. It was so sad when he died. I suspect he's up there telling great stories and how they should do things.

[@johnavery15]

"Do you like that?" My favourite and most memorable line from all his shows.

[@johndublyoo2553]

They threw the mould away when Fred was made. RIP.

[@teddyb4957]

No, I don't think they did, they just handed the mantle over to others i.e. Guy Martin...same practical interests, same 'working class' attitude, same Northern accent, and same likeability!

[@johndublyoo2553]

@@teddyb4957 I like Guy but sorry, he isn't in the same league as Fred although going on the size of their cahonies they're just about on par with each other.😊

[@user-vi4rv2zh4q]

Fred was an exceptional man ! We all have are faults but the man had true grit ! Sadly missed.

[@Seamus1966]

I wish this Man had done some audiobooks. Can listen to him for decades..

[@mogsyman]

I’ve been fascinated and had the utmost respect for Fred for as long as I can remember. What I have never established is where he hid his massive testicles whilst climbing and working on very high structures, the heights and danger seemed to be nothing more than a stroll in the park. RIP Fred, good to know we are still watching you on the tele, lighting up as well!

[@AndrewAHayes]

I have always had an interest in engineering, and worked in the industry for much of my life, there wasn't much engineering content on television until Fred came along, he made the victorians cool again, Mr.Dibnah I thank you for educating and entertaining me, I converted the videos to DVD many years ago, I think I shall spend this Sunday evening watching them!

[@richardswinson4381]

Fred Dibnah, what a gentleman.

[@nezbit8989]

There’s a certain quality in a man that is quite rare and Fred has that quality. Fearless, passionate with a sense of adventure that makes him achieve anything that he puts his mind to. Old school minerals 💪

[@spada573]

Fred. One of the few men in this world i would love to have sat next to in a bar, have a few and chew the fat with him. What a legend. We will never see his like again. Ever.

[@briankidd44]

Fred Dibnah is a true British legend. RIP Fred.

[@user-ne2uw8ji7h]

never seen this, I've seen everything else he did on film. I loved this guy because he lived his life his way.RIP Fred 👏 🇨🇮

[@Bob-ts2tu]

i must've watched everything he did on tv many times (and still do when repeated), a genuine old school character, sadly missed

[@goodfes]

I was surprised to see some compilations on Amazon Prime of some of the original shows at the weekend and watched Fred again with two of my teenage sons. The fact they actually stayed and watched with me says a lot about the original shows, Fred's character and his story. We live in the north of England and my sons found what he had to say and do fascinating. One of my sons went out of his way to visit one of the tallest remaining chimneys in our local town earlier this week!

[@stevenpeiper5538]

All the more impressive his massive balls of steel didn’t impede his progress up the ladder

[@bobwilcox1147]

How I miss those times!

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

Indeed so too.

[@robinvanags912]

Does not seem long ago - but I can't disagree.

[@BruceDanton-xw6eg]

@@robinvanags912 it does not indeed too but I guess they meant this type of tv so too.

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

I’d probably still bother with the BBC if they still had programs like this, the trouble is there's no longer people like this. 😢

[@Costa_del_Artlepool]

There are people like this, but they don't get invited onto the idiot box anymore. They're encouraged to make way for the newcomers.

[@stevekelly5166]

My neighbour in Thatcham had the nickname Fred before he was born, has steam engines, reminds me of Mr Dibnah daily.

[@verioffkin]

What a remarkable character! Pleasure to see and to listen him. Thank you!

[@matthewnaylor4412]

Used to see his red land rover trundling up walmesley road in bury, then met him while he was doing the parish church spire lovely bloke a hero of mine.

[@Elohimanu]

smoke in the studio ?? those was the big times 😮😂

[@paulbrookes413]

It added to the warmth 😄

[@lynnegee6814]

1980

[@MARKMANIATT]

I thought it was a very respectful interview with someone Harty seemed genuinely interested in. Fred meanwhile was pure gold as always. A one off who we could badly do with today.

[@alastairjones0]

Not often Fred was without his cap

[@dieseldog289]

Fred will always be remembered and respected!! Such a fantastic guy a true legend in every sense!!

[@helenhughes9420]

Fred showing Harty up for the ignorant cheap shot he is. Hero & gentleman ❤

[@roypoxon7562]

Just an amazing man

[@barryscott9112]

Poor interviewer 3 times mentions going to Art School the last place you would expect Fred Dibnah but doesn't follow up on it with any questions...

[@lynnegee6814]

Doesn't fit his stereotype.

[@colmgeiran3476]

Was mesmerised by Fred from the very first time. Love the accent. What a man!

[@theunemployedtrucker]

Ahh the good old days when you could smoke on TV, how the world has changed for the worse. Fred is an amazing man I loved watching programs about him with my dad when I was a kid ❤❤❤

[@michaelcollins1211]

Chuck norris has a picture of Fred on his bedroom wall

[@donhanlon7121]

Good one Micheal Collins 👌🇮🇪

[@Broomehall]

A lovely humble and brave man, his like we won't see again ........

[@montyf2165]

What a pity Parkinson never got a chance to interview him. Would have been a much more in depth interview with a few Lancs v Yorks quips thrown in!!

[@SPUGGY-t1x]

My knees go weak just watching him.

[@johnbellamy6449]

a great down to earth northerner . what happened ,when you see how this country has turned out now you could weep .

[@eddiejones.redvees]

I can remember refilling my BT van at a garage at Bolton Fred’s Land Rover was at one of the pumps when I was paying I reconsidered his voice behind me the had been a storm the day before and a church steeple at new Brighton had been damaged the lady at the till asked Fred had he got the job to fix it then in his television presenters manner he explained that the was a steel rod that goes up the middle of the spire and holds everything down and had probably rust through over the years and been weakened the next time we saw Fred was when he was at the Fleetwood tram festival with his traction engine he gave my son his autograph the the gang who replaced the telephone poles use to deliver the old poles to is home so he could build things also prop up the chimneys with them and then burn them through to let them fall he was one of the last of his kind

[@snookerthedog9935]

What a guy! It actually has a physical affect on me when I watch him on the chimneys... I just could not do it or even think about it. I was at his procession for the funeral with the steam engine. A one off...

[@professorbernardkemp7448]

“Do you mind if I smoke?” So cute, I miss them days!

[@russellham2094]

Well one of them came out of this interview with class, and it isn't Harty Forgotten how pompous he was. Fred was a true legend

[@paulcarter2907]

They definitely broke the mold after Fred was born..And the bravery to climb up that ladder and scamper over the top, having hauled it all up there in the first place! makes my feet tingle..He once said of a chimney..'There's so much room at the top of it, you could ride a bike around it'..Absolute legend, would have loved to have met him and buy him a pint...Harty and Dibnah..talk about chalk and cheese....

[@andrewrussell4707]

That overhang at the top of the ladder …. I get a pain in my groin just watching that. Well done Fred!

[@happydays425]

LEGEND

[@armind7]

That's a bloke to sit down & have pint with.

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

Legend much overused on much lesser mortals. Not on this remarkable, clever, intelligent, incredibly brave man. I could listen to him all day. Rest in peace in heaven Fred. One man who can look down with absolutely no fear of heights .

[@mrdeathgaming1457]

Worth every penny!

[@user-vi4rv2zh4q]

Thank you BBC for posting this , i have not seen this interview 👍🍸👌

[@jamesmacdonald5881]

Dig more dibnah out the archives!!!

[@robertyoung7264]

Fred was a legend. He certainly scrubbed up well for this appearance.

[@kentneil7100]

A lesson for the kids of today..... work hard and know you're craft and you will be rewarded 😊😊😊

[@El_Paracleto]

"Did ya like that"???...We certainly did Fred...

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

7K was a lot of money back then, a brand new Ford Capri 3.0S was 5K in 79.

[@paulsime3168]

Proper working class man ❤

[@user-zb7qf8rq5r]

I am watching this video lying in bed. My head is spinning and my original lizard part of my brain is recoiling from the danger of him hanging holding onto a plank facing certain death if he slips on that wet chilled wood 300 foot up in the air on a cold northern day. What a man.

[@bmkbmk4469]

What a guy ... remember watching Fred as a kid ,now I'm his age 2024...such courage : RIP

[@motormouthalmighty]

fred dibnah eh!it's amazing.back in 1978 my dad used to say"fred dibnah.he lives down the road in bolton there!steeplejack!"l heard him mentioned on television once or twice.i don't know if "yesterday" launched in 2012 but i watched every single peogramme about fred dibnah,as a presenter really.driving that steamroller with his friend.after all the times that i've watched him on tv in the last twelve years,it's hard to believe that before then, i had never really seen him!

[@anth5122]

A bloody hard working man

[@davellewellyn9306]

Can I smoke..priceless😂

[@josephturner7569]

They were the days.

[@fugblutivsti]

Nowadays the stack og paperwork regarding health and safety issues would be as hige as the chimney. Fred true legend.

[@wolfie854]

Excellent performance from Fred. He didn't need Russell to ask him all those questions. He would have rambled on non-stop once he got started. Russell should have let him finish what he was saying more. Russell was too tied down to his written list. He should have let Fred do his own interview in a way.

[@anth5122]

20yrs since his death … RIP Fred 👍

[@acheface]

What a man.