Sir David Frost dies while on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth where he was a guest lecturer

 

   Sir David Frost, perhaps the best-known television interviewer in the world and famed for his “Nixon Interviews,” has died of a heart attack aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth cruise ship. He was 74.

   He was to be a featured speaker on the sailing and had taken part in the Cunard Insights’ on-board enrichment program that features lectures by prominent speakers in the fields of history, science, politics and the arts.

   The ship left Southampton on Saturday for a 10-day cruise in the Mediterranean.

   In a statement, Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, said:

   “Sir David Frost was a remarkable journalist and broadcaster. Cunard had a proud association with him over many years. On behalf of us all at Cunard Line I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, family and friends.”

   Frost’s family confirmed his passing with this statement:

   “His family are devastated and ask for privacy at this difficult time. A family funeral will be held in the near future and details of a memorial service will be announced in due course.”

   British Prime Minister David Cameron said:

   “My heart goes out to David Frost's family. He could be - and certainly was with me - both a friend and a fearsome interviewer.”

   Frost was also scheduled to speak during the Queen Mary 2, westbound Transatlantic Crossing in October.

   The broadcasting legend was no stranger to Cunard, having travelled with the Line several times over the years and interviewing Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela live for the BBC from Queen Elizabeth 2 in Cape Town in 1998.

   His career has been so diverse that he had been described as a “one man conglomerate.”

   It is easy to see why: host and co-creator of “That Was the Week That Was”; producer of countless television programs, from “A Gift of Song: The Music for UNICEF” Concert to the “Spectacular World of Guinness Records”; author of 17 books; producer of eight films, including “Rogue Trader” with Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel; publisher; lecturer; impresario; and the joint founder of London Weekend Television and TV-am. He was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen in 1993.