General Chat

I have this thing about fathers. I don't believe they have to be your biological father. It seems this pub landlord Edward King was father of the 4 children biologically.

But they all saw Cody as their "father". And even Simpson's grandmother (who looked after Edward King and did not travel with Cody) came under Cody's wing after she was widowed.

So to my mind that makes Sam Cody the real great grandfather of John Simpson. Certainly John has a lot of Sam's sense of adventure and pioneering spirit in his own soul. Really enjoyed last WDYTYA :-) :-)

I could answer that Hayley... better not :-D

I looked at the fact Cody's wife or not wife was his GGrandmother so they were slightly related :-D

Although I found it slow to begin with I did find
it interesting although Cody was not a relative
of his. Feel the programme should have centred
round his relatives, got the impression he was star
struck with Cody and disappointed they were not
related.

Emma

I said the same about Lesley Sharps GGGrandfather and the Dr Banardo boys earlier on in the series Maggie.

I do think the program makers have tired to show something different with each episode, for last night was just different from other things we have seen this series, which at times can be depressing however important they are to history. Who'd of thought that in that day and age, women ran off with their children and left their dying husband to join a circus. What a tangled web of lies she must of told.

Was a bit confobulated when they went off on the Cody thing - when John said he wasn't exactly related!!!

My dad's stepdad had an unusual surname - but he wasn't my dad's dad - hence I haven't bothered going back to my maiden name since my divorce 25 years ago - despite the 'advantage' this name has had - and could have - to my career!

Absolutely Andysmum :-D

I enjoyed it but I must say I found it a bit boreing to start with but glad I stuck with it

SALLY W <3

Well another one who followed a story ehch had nothing to do with John.

Cody was not married to his Rellie, so why waste half the show on him.

The title is WDYTYA, well ...........

I enjoyed it too.

An excellent example of why you shouldn't believe everything on the census!! :-) :-)

Different but interesting I enjoyed it ..............I dont know whos info you have picked up on there John but I dont think its correct :-D

Its not like it used to be ....I have turned the John Simpson one off :-(

OH just told me I'll be able to see programme
as football finishes at 9pm, which is the time it's
on here :-D :-D

Thanks for reminder, Janet, Cannot believe Max is 70!!! On Friday, i think.

Just for anyone who will be watching on BBC 1 Wales it's not on until 10.35pm tonight due to Max Boyce Special at 9pm.

Will have to record as OH watching football :-(

Emma :-)

Last one tomorrow night :-)

Think I have got wrong parents. John Simpson was apparently born as John Fidler in Cleveleys, Lancs. Father Roy Fidler, who was a Christian Scientist.

Roy Fidler's father, Herbert Montague Fidler (1885-1960), apparently deserted his wife Eva Annie Simpson in 1922. Their son Roy changed his name to that of his mother - Simpson - as a result.

Hope that's right. :-)

Edit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/familyhistory/3355275/Family-detective-John-Simpson.html

John Cody Fidler-Simpson CBE (born 9 August 1944) is an English foreign correspondent. He is world affairs editor of BBC News. He has spent all his working life at the BBC. He has reported from more than 120 countries, including thirty war zones, and has interviewed many world leaders.

Simpson was born in London (according to him) and says in his autobiography that his father was an anarchist. He was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and St Paul's School, followed by Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he read English and was editor of Granta magazine. In 1965 he was a member of the Magdalene University Challenge team. A year later Simpson started as a trainee sub-editor at BBC radio news.

Married twice.

Just had a quick look on Free BMD and John Simpson seems to have been born in Nottingham, as were his siblings. Parents Alfred C SIMPSON and Rose M AXE, married Nottingham June 1936 Q. May be wrong though :-S Fidler not in his birth name, and only mention of name Fidler-Simpson on Free BMD is that his daughter carried that surname when her birth was registered (1970). So bit of mystery to look out for on Wednesday night perhaps.

I seem to remember having approx. 6 posts rr'd one evening as someone decided I should not be making comments on one of GR's suggestion threads...was that not FREEDOM OF SPEECH?