Sir James William Alexander Burnet, known as Sir Alastair Burnet (12 July 1928 – 20 July 2012), was a British journalist and broadcaster, best known for his work in news and current affairs programmes, including a long career with ITN as chief presenter of the flagship News at Ten for eighteen years; Sir Robin Day described Burnet as "the booster rocket that put ITN into orbit".Burnet was also a prominent print journalist who edited The Economist and Daily Express.
Joined ITN as political editor in 1963 and went on to become editor of The Economist and the Daily Express. He worked briefly for the BBC and fronted their General Election coverage. Was knighted in 1984.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Queen Elizabeth II: 60 Glorious Years
1986
TV Movie documentary
The British Connection
1985
TV Movie documentary script
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
News at Ten
1967
TV Series
Editorial Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
News at Ten
1967
TV Series associate editor
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
BAFTA British Academy Awards
1988
TV Special
Himself - presents award
TV Eye
1983-1986
TV Series
Himself - Presenter / Himself - Interviewer
The British Connection
1985
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Presenter
The Royal Wedding
1981
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Commentator (ITN) (voice)
Election 74
1974/II
TV Movie
Himself - Presenter
Election 74
1974/I
TV Movie
Himself - Presenter
Panorama
1973
TV Series documentary
Himself - Interviewer / Himself - Presenter
Man in the News
1970-1971
TV Series
Himself - Interviewer
This Week
1965-1971
TV Series
Himself - Reporter / Himself - Presenter / Himself - Interviewer
World in Action
1967-1968
TV Series documentary
Himself - Presenter / Himself - Reporter
News at Ten
1967
TV Series
Himself - Newsreader (1967-1972, 1976-1991)
The Eurovision Song Contest
1965
TV Special
Himself - United Kingdom Vote Presenter
ITV News
1955
TV Series
Newsreader (1955-1991)
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
And Here Is the News...
2015
TV Movie documentary
Himself - ITN Newscaster
William at 30
2012
TV Movie documentary
Himself - ITN Newsreader (uncredited)
Beeching's Legacy
2012
TV Mini-Series
Himself (uncredited)
McKenzie's Lore
1987
TV Movie documentary
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1986
BAFTA TV Award
BAFTA Awards
Best News or Outside Broadcast Coverage
News at Ten (1967)
Known for movies
The British Connection (1985) as Writer
Election 74 (1974) as Himself - Presenter
Election 74 (1974) as Himself - Presenter
TV Eye (1983-1986) as Himself - Presenter / Himself - Interviewer