Gilbert Harding, a television personality of immense popularity in 1950s Britain, gained notoriety for his notorious rudeness and short temper as a panel member on the esteemed parlor game show "What's My Line" (1951),which he occasionally presented. Additionally, he made appearances in several British films, predominantly playing himself. His most celebrated, albeit infamous, appearance on film or television was on the interview program "Face to Face" (1959),hosted by John Freeman, shortly before his untimely demise in 1960.
As a former policeman who was raised within the confines of a Victorian workhouse, Harding briefly broke down in tears during Freeman's relentless questioning. He was asked if he had ever been in the presence of someone dying. The only occasion he had been was with his mother, a fact Freeman was unaware of when this particular question arose. Freeman later expressed regret for this action; indeed, a few minutes later in the interview, Freeman assumed Harding's mother was still alive, and was promptly corrected by Harding.
Revealingly, Harding admitted his bad temper and manners were "indefensible", "I'm profoundly lonely", "I'm not afraid of death... I would like to be dead... " and tragically, several weeks after the recording, he was.
A play based on Harding's life, starring Edward Woodward, was performed in London.
