Russell Harty, 53 (1934-1988) British television presenter

Fredric Russell Harty (5th September 1934 - 8th June 1988) was a British television presenter of arts programmes and chat shows.

[@geoffjoffy]

It was a big shock when he died. He was a really big name on TV at the time and he had such a nice warmth about his personality. The type of person you know you'd feel good in the company of. My late mum and I really liked him and it was sad when he died at such a young age, just 53. I wonder what he'd be like now at 85. I think he'd still be the same old Russell Harty.

[@jillroyson4589]

It was a big shock, I remember it well. Always liked his style

[@minekara6407]

As a young person I always enjoyed his shows....can't think of a half decent interviewer today. Russell Harty was special

[@aspecsof1]

Russell was my unlikely hero when I was growing up. He was highly intelligent and entertaining, and was a fine interviewer who was genuinely interested in people. His was a rare gift for putting people at ease and getting the best from them. With one or two notable exceptions, of course! I had the great pleasure of meeting him briefly after one of his live TV shows from the Greenwood Theatre. I only asked for his autograph but realised afterwards I'd been interviewed by him. He'd asked my name, where I'd travelled from, what I was studying, what I hoped to do in the future and more. I wasn't even aware as it was happening. That is how brilliant he was. 30 years on I still think of him and smile. Bless him.

[@BassistPaul]

Gosh. I played in Russell's house band for the BBC shows 1983 - 1985. And I remember having a few drinks with Parky at the Sebel Town House in Sydney, 1985. Both splendid geezers. I'm lucky to have known them.

[@promerops]

The depths to which the British gutter press will stoop know no limits.

[@nervo6321]

He had a certain charisma i cant quite put my finger on....but he always asked great questions....

[@paulphilipempey1]

He was a fantastic interviewer. He would place the interviewee at ease, and then glean a plethora of information with his cunning style. I specifically liked the interview with the late, great Kenneth Williams. Thank you for the upload.

[@zigzag5784]

I watched him in my youth and he was always entertaining. He was clearly loved by many and had a wonderful life. Not such a bad innings really.

[@minekara6407]

53 was far too young to pass away

[@richardsimcock4043]

@@minekara6407But what a wonderful too-short a life! As a boy I was entranced by his talent. Such a good gentleman

[@EmmaRiddle543]

I’ve watched this so many times and still cry each time.

[@michaelmckenna9174]

His poor niece still hurts all these years later. Russell surrounded himself with love of his family and friends and that's what matters it seems they were all there at the most important times of his life. He interviewed some of the biggest stars of that time.

[@rupertthebear2771]

Your postings are BRILLIANT--Thanks

[@indieshack4476]

Very good reminder of what a great guy he was - I grew up watching his shows in the 70's, he was a one-off, you never really appreciate folks like that until they're not here anymore. Left us *way* too young - didn't realize hepB death was that sudden, thought it was a more chronic disease.

[@Jamisonurquhartshirley23]

I've never bought it ...I fancy it was just more preferred to the other virus beginning it's journey....

[@gordonkeane6298]

Very moving documentary. But how I hate the press!

[@mckavitt]

Gordon Keane Look what the press did to Rome Schneider. Terrible.

[@alexpmK3]

Bloody hell !!! I never knew . .. A truely entertaining bloke.

[@christiangrady1291]

Thank you all so, so very much! Quite a touching memorial indeed. Seeing this Documentary about my life as Russell brought back many heartwarming memories I'd sort of completely lost touch with these last 30 years or so. Upon research and retrospection I am entirely convinced that I am Russell reincarnate, that on June 8 1988 my life as Russell ended and my current life as Christian began... I know, sounds completely bonkers, but I can't ignore the absolute plethora of supporting evidence and correlative factors that compel me to confidently assert such a bold, outlandish notion... Regardless of any justifiable skepticism of my claim, I felt profoundly inclined to comment here today, as Russell, thanking you for thinking of me. Best wishes to you all.

[@murielbarker4311]

I loved Russell such a shame illness took him so quickly

[@tradingcardboss]

🔥🔥 Loved his Documentary’s 🔥🔥

[@jamesmccullough4169]

Frankie Howard "Ulster". Love it 😂

[@robharding5345]

Such a tragic end to a very respectful life, He gave pleasure to millions, and the way he ended his days, with the hounding by the press etc, He didn't deserve such horrible treatment.Clearly his family loved him so much.

[@wardis8303]

Russell was a very entertaining man, and the gutter press were never held to account for how seedy they behaved, who cares if he was gay, he died far too young

[@Jamisonurquhartshirley23]

I know a lot of lads that never made 30....go song for Them....seems to me he had it much better than most...u think he'd trade it in for 70 normal years....there ya go.

[@gusjackson3658]

Superstars in Britain. Unknown everywhere else.

[@richardsimcock4043]

That’s no bad thing. He was ours and he knew it.

[@christinescarff4920]

Always really loved Russell Harty and especially his interview with the GORGEOUS Rod Stewart ( who ironically looked so ‘camp’ whereas it was Russell who was gay ) but never realised he’d been to Oxford and that he was the one behind getting Diana to visit Giggleswick . However I wouldn’t have been in awe of Royalty as he was cos I’m a pretty hardline Republican !! 😂🤷‍♀🥊🔥🧨💣 OMG, see he died of Hep B and LIVER failure, cos I’ve got liver cancer too cos I’m genetically CELT and have undiagnosed HAEMOCHROMATOSIS ( aka The Celtic Curse ). My parents’ families were Northerners too though I and my husband are really ‘ out and out ‘ Southerners . Hope to God he wasn’t genetically CELT as he died at such a young age too! FYA , the NHS NEVER tests for HAEMOCHROMATOSIS and hardly ANY ‘ useless’ GPs know anything about the disorder !!! My serious advise - NEVER trust a GP ! 😡🤬

[@jedlinnen6528]

Perhaps if he had been physically stronger he would have survived the diagnosis but the British press had unleashed a treadmill of despair it sounds like to me which had left him exhausted.

[@josephlandrut4154]

Russel was a great loss to show business.

[@eddieingalls534]

He was good (often very) at his job and certainly did not deserve the hounding he got in the media. In some ways, what helped him greatly also played a great part in his downfall. The lack of choice. Back then if you got onto television you were made as we had no real choice, maybe just 3 channels when Harty was strutting his stuff. So while he knew he was guaranteed large audiences and no real competition, it also meant he had no-one else around him to get the media's attention. I liked his shows and style but back then it was so much easier to be a 'star'. I don't know much about the issue with Harty and his private life but maybe he too (understandably) felt he was untouchable and did not do enough to hide it from the bored and vulture based media of yonder?

[@logicalnetwork1611]

Harty was gay at the wrong time in tv. Today it wouldnt matter.

[@degsbabe]

Matter what?

[@maximXX]

No one gave a shit then too

[@aprildannettegosa5381]

Logical Network the only one who cared was the press and they still care they act like they don't but they do

[@BRUTUALTRUTH]

I am very sorry he came to a sad end and what the press did was evil. Unfortunately, if you live in the public eye you have to watch every move especially in your private life and what he was doing in his private life was playing with fire as the press in those days were dominant and unrelenting. Today, not so much and what he'd do today would not batter an eyelid. Progress, I guess.

[@mckavitt]

BRUTUALTRUTH Don’t kid yourself. People are still labelled, ostracised... lose their jobs, for “other” reasons.

[@edwardcalleja7518]

BRUTUALTRUTH eis w

[@BRUTUALTRUTH]

Huh?

[@michaelmckenna9174]

The fact is there's no escape when in the public eye and we know they the"media" can destroy you even if you haven't done anything just by a whisper.

[@wrexham1983]

20:26 the chord on the organ chokes me every time

[@MultiKs22]

the Danny boy air yes its very moving and heartrending .

[@bluewater4430]

do you have any Russell Harty shows?

[@georgepollen7927]

Sorry GP

[@mckavitt]

I would rather his mother knew, devastated or not. It would have forced the relationship open. I’m sure Noël Coward’s mum knew about him.

[@thespiancaine]

Loved him dearly

[@carlkane653]

I can remember when he died was very surprised about it.

[@carlkane653]

we all were

[@ClickChase]

I wonder what he was like in real life.

[@ivanahavitoff7308]

and the family threw his lover out in the streets - always about the money!

[@ivanahavitoff7308]

@@williambriggs79 Indeed. Evicted from his home.

[@richardsimcock4043]

Such a disgraceful thing to do.. it took yeeaars for his partner to climb back up from the hurt.

[@willmac5642]

A Free to do what they want Press

[@G928...]

Yeah, yeah nice rosy fantasy picture. Reality was he was pompous and rude to guests he didn't "like" Grace Jones slapping him was entirely justified the way he treated her, his offensive car crash interview with David Bowie also showed his true nature.

[@Paul-ob1lc]

Yeah I’ve seen his second interview with Bowie and he was nasty and belittling,but he didn’t realise that David wasn’t just some council estate wannabe pop star he was a very clever,well read and spoken ,unbelievably intelligent human being and he put harty very much in his place.

[@ossiemac]

@davidoffon Turned you down then? Probably because of your bitterness.

[@ossiemac]

@davidoffon So bitter after how many years? That's scary.

[@ossiemac]

@davidoffon 'These people' Oh dear... Sorry but you are so eaten up inside over someone who died decades ago that you have been following comments on here with your tragic little snipes. That is very bitter indeed. Bye 👋

[@richardsimcock4043]

Lies. Russell was a wonderful gentleman

[@ferretfriend5458]

I lived overseas so had never heard of him, but since coming home I have seen a couple of interviews he was in involved in including Vivian Westwood and am surprised he kept his job so long. He was just rude

[@MultiKs22]

@ferretfriend548 Russell was so beautiful. looking .

[@sashaboo72]

Wow, how times have changed. These days you can be gay, bi, transgender,, gender neutral or whatever, and be in the public eye without much criticism at all!

[@mckavitt]

Sashaboo72 My foot you can! There are still so many in the closet. And for good reason.

[@brianconway100]

I do hate the tabloid press in this country. Just in this programme alone..... saying there was a deep rift between Russell and Michael Parkinson (who were actually good friends), hunting him about his sexuality, stating that he had aids. The grossly exaggerated report about Grace Jones 'punching' Russell the next day made me cringe. Yet, they are the biggest selling papers. Giving the readers what they want (so who's to blame)? R.I.P. Russell Harty.

[@opinionday0079]

2:54 Giggleswick school lol lol lol

[@dominewimbury2039]

Bloody press! Savages

[@RSLtreecare]

I was lucky to have worked in the entertainment industry and meet him a number of times. A very sad time.

[@mpdalyful1]

While Russell Harry was recovering in hospital from major surgery. The press took over the building opposite and managed to snap a photo of him in his hospital bed. Disgusting

[@dominewimbury2039]

@@mpdalyful1 OMG 😡😡😡

[@mckavitt]

Stewart Holmes You were. I’d have loved to have met him.

[@leeetchells609]

" northern accent ?"well I suppose he did compared to Janet street Porter 🤣

[@mikedennington8856]

He chased a friend of mine around a grand piano. He was that type who chased men in situations.

[@plauditecives]

Wasn't he just a trifle shrewish? I think Dirk Bogarde's comments were well placed in that sense.

[@maralynrigby9157]

If you want fame then you should be an open book! That way, they can never have anything on you. Most famous people like to be able to switch off their fame when it suits. Your private life and your public life should be as one... Ask Quentin Crisp.

[@wagnercabrerisso5986]

Press is dirty and cruel. Remember Sir Elton John ?!?!

[@saxongreen78]

Grace Jones should have lamped him proper...it was a really shitty display on his part.

[@tkshots]

janet street porter knew about jimmy saville...she said nothing

[@angelaattenbon4788]

Appalling interviewer. Obviously the reason for this was a failure to accept that he could never be an artist himself.

[@michaelroberts2261]

Was it not reported in 1989 that they discovered Child Pornography Tapes at his house ?

[@lapponia77]

I dare say it was reported. I also dare say it was completely untrue. I don't know why anybody would believe what the press reported when it comes to sad cases like the death of Russell Harty.

[@Steviepics]

Probably because it never happened. Probably because there never were any such tapes. I don't know. I know this much though ... he died of entirely natural causes, so by what basis do you have people 'discovering' such tapes. I think you're getting confused with some imagined conspiracy. The RH I know had an entirely natural and normal homosexual sex life. Possibly not one that would have been to your preference, or would it?

[@michaelmckenna9174]

There are dark forces at work when it comes to selling news papers.

[@thoskel1]

He was a true professional and a very entertaining personality. Preferred him better than Wogan