John Cody Fidler-Simpson CBE is an esteemed English foreign correspondent and the current World Affairs Editor of BBC News. Born on 9th August, 1944, in Cleveleys, Lancashire, Simpson briefly experienced the serene coastal surroundings before being taken to London shortly after his birth. His father, Roy Simpson, a Christian Scientist and property developer, and his mother separated when John was seven. He spent much of his formative years in Dunwich, Suffolk, choosing to live with his father while his mother cared for his two half-sisters. Simpson was educated at prestigious institutions, including Dulwich College Preparatory School and St. Paul’s School, and later attended Magdalene College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he pursued a degree in English and served as the editor of the renowned Granta magazine. In 1965, he represented Magdalene on University Challenge. His journalistic career began in 1966 as a trainee sub-editor for BBC Radio News.
Joining the BBC as a reporter in 1970, Simpson’s career has been marked by extraordinary moments. One early anecdote recounts Prime Minister Harold Wilson punching him in the stomach after a pointed question. Simpson later served as the BBC’s political editor (1980–81), Nine O’Clock News presenter (1981–82), and diplomatic editor (1982). His international assignments included postings in South Africa, Brussels, and Dublin. In 1988, Simpson was appointed BBC World Affairs Editor, a role that has defined his career, with coverage spanning over 120 countries and 30 war zones. In addition to reporting, Simpson hosted Simpson’s World, an occasional current affairs program, further cementing his reputation as a journalist with unparalleled global insight. His career has been distinguished by interviews with world leaders and fearless reporting from some of the most volatile regions in modern history.
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