Oxford holds a special place in the affections of broadcaster David Dimbleby, he tells Andrew ffrench.

WHEN David Dimbleby was at Oxford University he had so much fun editing the student rag Isis, and dining with his pals in the Bullingdon Club, that he failed to pay enough attention to philosophy, politics and economics and left Christ Church with a third-class degree.

Now the long-standing BBC TV commentator is returning to his alma mater for the Oxford Literary Festival.

The 71-year-old presenter of Question Time is back in Oxford at a time when his public profile has perhaps never been higher.

The reason for this boost in popularity is the BBC history series Seven Ages of Britain, which focuses on the country’s most precious artworks and treasures from the past 2,000 years.

The programmes have won a favourable review from the Campaign for Real Education for presenting history in a narrative form that is helpful to young people and adults.

What struck me most about the programmes, made in conjunction with the Open University, was how much Dimbleby appeared to be enjoying himself.

On Question Time the presenter has to adopt the role of a very strict grammar school headmaster, but on Seven Ages of Britain he frequently has a twinkle in his eye.

“I don’t know if it’s one of the best things I have ever done, but it was one of the most enjoyable – I loved doing it,” he said.

“I thought all the filming would be done in England and Scotland, but the stories we discovered took us to places like India and Turkey too.

“I’m getting quite a lot of on-the-street reaction with people coming up and saying, ‘What a great series’.

“People are also saying that their children are watching it, too, which is very exciting. It has struck a chord for some reason.

“I think the TV camera gives a close-up view of things that allow you to see things better than with the naked eye, although my high-definition TV is always breaking down.”

The father of four said programme makers carried out careful historical research to ensure that they did not get a “slap on the wrist” from the experts, and added that the series took two years to make.

“The Open University historians working on the series went to all the relevant experts in various fields,” he added.

“I would have been horrified if there had been a big comeback from viewers saying, ‘You got it all wrong’. We tried to follow the Reithian broadcasting value of being entertaining but informative.”

Mr Dimbleby said he hoped the programmes would encourage viewers to visit museums such as the newly-revamped Ashmolean in Beaumont Street, where he got his hands on the Alfred Jewel.

The Anglo-Saxon ornament is one of the treasures he hopes will draw fans of the series “like a magnet back to the past”.

The presenter is looking forward to revisiting his own past later this month when he arrives at Christ Church to give a talk at the Oxford Literary Festival.

“I had a lovely time at Oxford and didn’t bother too much about a degree,” he confesses.

The presenter has been booked to host the third of three televised election debates featuring the party leaders, and he is, he informs The Guide “enjoying life with knobs on”.

The positive reaction to Seven Ages of Britain has helped him to forget the accident involving a rearing bullock at his Sussex farm in November, which left him with a few minor injuries.

He jokes: “I’m fully recovered and I’m taking my revenge by eating him bit by bit.”

l Seven Ages of Britain, by David Dimbleby, is published by Hodder, price £25.

David Dimbleby will be at the Oxford Literary Festival on Wednesday, March 24 at 4pm.

oxfordliterary festival.com