Sad death of groundbreaking broadcaster Pat Keysell

Pat Keysell, the presenter of Britain’s first television programme for deaf children, has died.

Keysell made her debut with For Deaf Children in the late 1950s by introducing mime performances by deaf actors.

In 1964, she began presenting Vision On – which broke new ground in being the first television programme to successfully bridge the gap between deaf and hearing children – using sign language, mime acts, wacky visuals and featuring artist Tony Hart’s humorous art workshops. The series lasted for 12 years and was sold to many other countries.

Pat Keysell was also active with NDCS, and in the 1970s helped to establish the annual NDCS drama festival.

Susan Daniels, Chief Executive of NDCS said: “Many hearing viewers who were around in the mid-60s remember Vision On with affection."

"Pat’s involvement with NDCS and her work with deaf children and adults was ahead of its time. Her leadership enabled deaf children to take part in an activity on equal terms to their hearing peers – this work was truly inspirational and become a model that NDCS followed for a considerable length of time," added Daniels. "Our sympathies go to her family – she made a great contribution and will be sorely missed.”

Your recent comments

Pat Keysell

29 November 2009

Pat was deeply proud of Vision On and I had a lengthy call to her, discussing the series and the enormous loss to childrens television following the axing of 'Vision On'. She was also very supportive of the Vision On web site. I was most pleased in 2003 to be able to reunite her and co-host Tony Hart for lunch after not seeing each other since 1976. She was charming!

Ralph Morris

How!

13 November 2009

I'm in complete shock. What was the cause of her death. This news has capped an awful week for me personally speaking.

Malcolm

Thanks Pat

5 November 2009

I have been a British Sign Language/English interpreter for my entire working life. My career has afforded me the most wonderful opportunities to work in a huge variety of fascinating (and sometimes very glamorous)domains, always with wonderful people. My background is in languages, not in deafness (I don't come from a deaf family). Involvement with global deaf communities,sign languages and deaf cultures has enriched my life beyond measure and it all started with 'I'm sorry we cannot return your pictures..' Thanks Pat. RIP x

Kyra Pollitt

Pat Keysell

4 November 2009

As an infant in short trousers, I well remember tea time in the 1960s watching Pat Keysell and Tony Hart on the Vision On programme. It was probably the only TV programme that was truly accessible to me, a severely deaf child, and I think we owe Pat a debt for demonstrating the potential of TV to reach out to all children, irrespective of their hearing levels, and for inspiring future generations of programming for deaf children. Thanks, Pat. We will remember you.

Stephen