Daily Mail - Daily Mail Weekend Magazine
My life through a lens
Celebrities share the stories behind their favourite photographs. This week it’s radio presenter James Naughtie, 69
1959
In the village of Rothiemay in northeast Scotland, my childhood was happy and carefree. My father was the schoolmaster, and my mother was head at the school in the neighbouring parish. I couldn’t have wished for more loving parents – here with me aged about eight. A country upbringing suited me. Long evenings by the river, summer days in the fields, harvest-time. I still feel close to it all.
1970
Behind me here are the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan, half-built. I’m on the Staten Island ferry, just turned 19, at the end of my first trip to the United States. I had eight weeks work in a hotel then a blissful month with friends crossing the country (all for $99 on Greyhound buses). I knew I’d be back – within three years I was enrolling at Syracuse University.
1976
Oh dear – this is hardly a New York fashion statement. This was my first US convention, seeing Jimmy Carter accept the Democratic presidential nomination in Madison Square Garden. I had persuaded my newspaper, the venerable Press
And Journal in Aberdeen, to let me apply for accreditation – I was in the US on a break anyway – and for someone with my nerdy love of American politics (I’d spent time in Washington in 1974 at the end of the Watergate saga, which confirmed my obsession), it was bliss.
1990
After I joined the BBC in the late 1980s, music became a parallel enthusiasm alongside journalism for me. Here I am interviewing Luciano Pavarotti for Radio 3 before the summer of the Italia ’90 World Cup and the Three Tenors concert. We were supposed to be discussing his upcoming performance in a Donizetti opera at Covent Garden, but I confess we did spend some time talking football. He didn’t think much of Scotland’s chances in the World Cup. Nor did I, but I concealed it.
1994
This was an unusual encounter, when former prime ministers Ted Heath [left] and Jim Callaghan [right] agreed to reminisce together for an endof-year discussion. It would be much more difficult today to persuade two war horses like that to saddle up for a gentle ride. I imagine they would be nervous about what their parties might say. They would certainly be advised against it. This picture seems to be from an age which, if it hasn’t vanished, certainly looks distant and misty.
1997
I’m sitting with John Humphrys here before going on air with the Today programme. It takes me back – the primitive desktops, presenters wearing ties and reading newspapers. We’re looking away from each other here, but don’t be deceived. You can’t meet someone regularly over 21 years at 4am without developing a warm rapport. It would never have lasted otherwise. We had good times, lots of fun.
2002
There was a real camaraderie on the Today programme.
This was when Sue Macgregor left, and John and I are smothering her with flowers. Of all the radio voices I know, Sue’s is one of the most distinctive and warm. Listeners knew – whether on Woman’s Hour in the old days, Today or later The Reunion – that they were in safe hands. I’m glad to say we often have the chance to reminisce together, especially about unfortunate episodes of giggling, to which we have both been prone.
2020
This is in New Hampshire early last year, when
Joe Biden’s presidential campaign seemed to be foundering. He turned up in this hall to thank volunteers and then, unexpectedly, started taking questions from journalists. All his frustration and rekindled ambition was on display. This image, when defeat seemed likely and he was in the fight of his life, captures the campaign for me. As for my bald patch being on show, I’ve long stopped worrying about that.