SIR DAVID FROST, renowned journalist and interviewer, entertained high-profile delegates and guests with humorous anecdotes from the world’s most famous leaders and politicians, during a special session on the final day of the 13th World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit.
Sir David Frost quipped about his many interviews over the years, which range from – most famously – former US President Richard Nixon, former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
“I think the key thing is that you’re really a main ambassador to these world leaders you’re talking to,” Sir Davidsaid in conversation with Geoffrey Kent, founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Abercrombie & Kent.
“The key thing is that this person is well briefed, but also charismatic and looks forward to the situation. It must be that you hit the right note. You don’t want someone stiff and nervous,” he said of being a good interviewer. “You can’t underestimate the charm of intelligence and being well informed. You might have the right message, but it might not follow through if you’re not the right person,” he continued.
Sir David described Nelson Mandela as “still incredible”, reminiscing about their first interview. Asking the former PM how he wasn’t bitter, Mandela replied ‘David, I would like to be bitter, but there is no time to be bitter. There is work to be done’.
Sir David presented the talk show ‘Breakfast with Frost’ on the BBC which ran till 2005 and currently presents ‘Frost All Over The World’ on Al Jazeera. His interviewees include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, the late Benazir Bhutto, Omar Al Bashir of Sudan and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua.