How BBC wooed Olivier and young Attenborough

THE BBC is releasing archive material that will show the "untold story" of how the corporation attempted to persuade Laurence Olivier to make his TV debut for the broadcaster.

- HANNAH ROBERTS

Also among the documents that are being made public as part of the new initiative aiming to shine a light on the corporation's role in cultural and social history are letters addressed to a young Sir David Attenborough.

The first release contains around 50,000 files, including internal memos and letters which show the BBC's attempt to get Olivier to work with them.

A letter addressed to his business associate, Anthony Bushell, dated October 14 1949, says: “Do, if you feel able, try to persuade Olivier to do some television for us now that he is a little freer after Streetcar. We would put on almost anything he liked and would do it in the best possible manner.”

Another document says: “Commercial Television Notes No 127 received. It was noted that no explanation was yet forthcoming of Sir Laurence Olivier’s decision to appear on ITV, after turning down repeated offers from the BBC.”