Raymond Frederic Baxter OBE (25 January 1922 – 15 September 2006) was a British television presenter and writer. He is best known for being the first presenter of Tomorrow's World, continuing for 12 years, from 1965 to 1977. He also gave radio commentary at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the funerals of King George VI, Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten of Burma, and the first flight of Concorde.
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2003 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to heritage. He was the Co-Founder and Honorary Admiral for the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.
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He provided commentary on the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Churchill's funeral, and the Concorde's first flight (as a passenger). He was a motor-sport fan who not only covered but participated in several Monte Carlo rallies. One of the highlights of his tenure on "Tomorrow's World" took place in 1967, when he interviewed Dr. Christian Barnard live by telephone just one hour after he completed the world's first heart transplant.
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After WWII, he joined the British Forces Network and reported on the Berlin airlift.
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During World War II he was a squadron leader and flew Spitfire fighter planes, taking part in raids against V1 and V2 missile sites deep inside occupied Europe.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
There's a Lot of It About
1982
TV Series
Various Characters
The Goodies
1976
TV Series
Grand Prix
1966
BBC interviewer (uncredited)
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre
1957
TV Series
Radio commentator
Pantomania, or It Was Never Like This
1955
TV Movie
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Stars Reunited
2003
TV Series documentary
Himself
We Bring You Live Pictures
1982
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself - Commentator / Himself
Q5
1979-1980
TV Series
Himself
It's a Knockout
1979
TV Series
Himself
Tomorrow's World
1965-1977
TV Series documentary
Himself - Presenter
Spitfire!
1976
TV Movie
Himself - Presenter
Yorkshire Water
1975
Documentary short
Himself - Commentator
Call My Bluff
1968-1970
TV Series
Himself
Give Your Car a Holiday
1967
Documentary short
Himself - Commentator
The Royal Variety Performance 1964
1964
TV Movie
Himself - Commentator (voice)
1964 General Election
1964
TV Special documentary
Himself - Reporter
Dial RIX
1963
TV Series
Himself
Look at Life: Back-room of the Sky
1963
Documentary short
Himself - Commentator
Look at Life: Vintage Models
1963
Documentary short
Himself - Commentator
The Fast Lady
1962
Himself
The Election Results
1959
TV Movie
Himself - Reporter
Eye on Research
1959
TV Series documentary
Himself - Presenter / Himself - Reporter
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Secret Life of the Motorway
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself - Reporter
The Rock 'n' Roll Years
1985
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
Spitfire! (1976) as Himself - Presenter
The Fast Lady (1962) as Himself
Tomorrow's World (1965-1977) as Himself - Presenter
1964 General Election (1964) as Himself - Reporter
$7 Million
