Former BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey dies

Hussey's journalistic career began in 1949 when he joined Associated Newspapers as a trainee.

Former British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) chairman Marmaduke Hussey has died at the age of 83, the broadcaster said on Wednesday.

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Hussey was appointed to the top BBC job in 1986, steering it for a decade during which it was criticised for alleged left-wing bias under conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the BBC said.

His journalistic career began in 1949 when he joined Associated Newspapers as a trainee.

He went on to become a director at the newspaper group, before switching to Times Newspapers where he was managing director from 1971-80.

He had been a soldier during World War II, losing a leg. After his time at the BBC he was given a life peerage, becoming Lord Hussey, in Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honours list in 1996.

Lord Hussey married Lady Susan Waldegrave, a lady-in-waiting to the queen and godmother to Prince William. The couple had a son and a daughter.