Ben Lyons

Died: 11 July 2015

Ben Lyons, who has died 92, was a much loved and respected producer on BBC Radio Scotland. He had a deep concern for the programmes with which he was associated and ensured that they all had the stamp of his authority and skills.

He was the consummate professional: always well-prepared for every broadcast with a clear understanding of the challenges for all involved. He accepted responsibility for the entire planning of a programme and made sure schedules were correct and that shows were aired to a high and exacting standard. Interviews from outside sources were meticulously edited and introduced at the correct moment.

Mr Lyons worked with a wide variety of stars including Nat King Cole, Barbara Dickson and Lulu and gave Billy Connolly his big break when the Big Yin was struggling at the beginning of his career. Connolly was part of the band The Humblebums in the late 1960s mostly performing gigs at The Old Scotia Bar in Stockwell Street.

Mr Lyons and the comedian remained good friends and Connolly always called him, 'Wee Ben'. In 2013 on hearing of Connolly's diagnosis of cancer Mr Lyons, said, "His whole attitude to life is entertaining. We canae do without people like Billy Connolly."

Mike Shaw, former colleague and BBC Programme editor, told The Herald: "Ben was already an established member of BBC Scotland's staff well before the start of the new Radio Scotland in 1978. He had produced a multitude of outside broadcasts and popular radio series.

"Ben was the man requested by London to produce The Radio One Club outside broadcasts from venues all around Scotland. This was no mean feat - he had to deal with the star DJs who fronted programmes attracting huge audiences."

Mr Lyons was also instrumental in giving early opportunities on his Come Thursday programme to The Bay City Rollers, Moira Anderson and the DJ Stuart Henry.

In 1969 he presented a programme, My Kind of Folk, on Radio Scotland featuring The McCalmans and Barbara Dickson. In 1973 he produced Folk Night in Aviemore for Radio2 with Robin Hall, The McCalmans and The Buskers.

Another of his popular radio shows was On Tour which was occasionally broadcast from a village hall in Kinlochbervie. He demonstrated his complete command by bringing together a programme under testing conditions with an exacting professionalism and a sense of humour.

Mr Lyons produced the Derek Davidson Show and worked on Radio2 for several of their Hogmanay programmes which included music and songs from Jim McLeod, who said of Mr Lyons, "He lived for, and loved, Scottish music and song."

Mr Lyons was always keen to encourage new producers and presenters at BBC Radio Scotland. As Mike Shaw recalled, "this came directly from his own overwhelming sense of the need for broadcasters 'to get it right'. His objective was always to instil in colleagues the same commitment and sense of pride he felt in the BBC, and in its service to Scotland."

In 2009 Mr Lyons was the guest on Robbie Shepherd's popular Reel Blend and the two old friends had a wonderful trip down memory lane recalling much loved shows from yesteryear.

After he retired, Mr Lyons worked on the Jimmy Mack Show and an afternoon show for Radio Scotland after the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival.

Mr Lyons with Howard Lochart – whose programme Greetings Programme he produced - opened the new studios for the Edinburgh Hospital Broadcasting in 1969.

He was married to the promoter Louise Rosenthal and his daughter is the journalist Beverley Lyons.

Alasdair Steven