He pioneered the idea of surrounding a string quartet with listeners and worked to commission a series of dramatised stories to be performed with the quartet.

First, commission a series that kicks people who are in trouble and desperate; then get some talking heads to kick them some more to generate column inches.

The success of the television versions inspired the company to commission a series of film adaptations.

The project stalled for several months as network executives were initially reluctant to commission the series.

Bosses commissioned a series of costly projects - including 1.65million for a rock 'piazza' outside.