'Mr and Mrs' host Derek Batey dies, aged 84

Derek Batey has died at the age of 84.



The broadcaster was best known as the host of Mr and Mrs between 1964 and 1980.

He died in Blackpool's Trinity Hospice last night (February 17) after recently becoming ill on holiday in the US.

"Derek was a people person, who was never happier than when he was talking to either a prince or a pauper," ex-ITV producer and director Harry King told News & Star.

"He would do interviews with prime ministers and he could also talk comfortably to the lady next door. It was a great skill which he had."

Batey worked as a consultant and wrote some of the questions on the 2008 reboot of the show fronted by Fern Britton and Phillip Schofield.

The assistant controller of programmes for Border Television also hosted chat show Look Who's Talking between 1973 and 1985.

RIP