But when a new BBC chairman, Marmaduke Hussey, was appointed he was reportedly asked to "sort out" the corporation and one of the first things he did was ask Milne to go in January 1987.

BBC: Former BBC director general Alasdair Milne dies

At the end of January 1987, when the governors and the board of management met at Television Centre, the Chairman, Marmaduke Hussey and the vice chairman Lord Barnett, saw Milne and - so its generally believed - gave him an ultimatum to resign for personal reasons or be sacked.

BBC: Obituary: Alasdair Milne