Last Rhodri Morgan interview to be aired
THE final television interview given by the late Rhodri Morgan will be shown on ITV Cymru Wales at 8pm tonight.
Rhodri Morgan: The Last Interview sees the former First Minister of Wales at his house in the Vale of Glamorgan in conversation with ITV Wales’ political editor Adrian Masters.
The interview was recorded just weeks before Mr Morgan died at the age of 77 while cycling in the lanes near his home on May 17.
Mr Morgan was called a “remarkable Welshman” and a “true patriot” after his death. In the programme, Rhodri reflects on his early years, his life and times in politics and his retirement. It is being broadcast with the blessing of his family.
The programme also sees Rhodri cooking a meal with Adrian – salmon and rosemary potatoes – and reveals that he “does all the cooking” at home.
Rhodri talks about his time in politics – both as an MP in Westminster and as First Minister in Cardiff Bay and recalls his famous falling out with Tony Blair. He also talks about his health and reveals, “I’m not the kind of person to look back.”
Asked whether he regretted not still being an active politician, Mr Morgan tells the programme: “I always said if I’d wanted to stay in politics, then I would have stayed in the same job as I had before – First Minister.
“The question is do you want it or not, or do you want to do other things. I wanted to do other things.”
He tells Masters he didn’t miss being First Minister: “Not at all. I’d already done 10 years. That’s plenty really, and time for the younger generation to be getting on with it. I always planned it – that I’d go on my own terms in my own time.”
Asked which was better, being First Minister or a grandad, Mr Morgan said: “Well, they’re not ‘eitheror’. They’ve both been incredibly important.
“Nothing makes me happier than to think of the way that my children were producing grandchildren almost at the rate of one a year for the entire period that I was First Minister.”
Also featured are scenes from Mr Morgan’s funeral at the Senedd.
Masters said: “This is a portrait of Rhodri’s life in his own words. As a journalist I interviewed Rhodri many times. He was unique in Welsh politics, for his unmistakable character and unifying political approach.
“It seems strange to think that this was his final interview as he was so positive and upbeat and looking forward to the future.
“He was full of stories and, as ever, eager to hear the political gossip.”
Jonathan Hill, editor of English language programmes at ITV Cymru Wales, said: “We are very grateful to Julie Morgan and family for allowing us to show this final intimate insight into the world of a remarkable man.”