BBC2 has just celebrated 50 years since it started broadcasting on April 21, 1964.

It has a proud record of producing dramas such as I Claudius, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy; The Boys From The Blackstuff, Our Friends In The North and Line of Duty and has had great sporting achievements to its credit.

Its very first comedy series was Rodney Bewes and James Bolam in The Likely Lads which was followed by such comedy classics as Fawlty Towers, The Young Ones, Have I Got News For You, The Fast Show, The Royle Family and The League of Gentlemen.

This was the station that launched Keith Floyd, the only cookery programme I ever watched simply because of its wonderfully flamboyant host.

And it was a trail blazer when it came to rock too, with Whispering Bob Harris presenting The Old Grey Whistle Test that showcased non-chart music. Harris said the name came from an old Tin Pan Alley phrase.

The first pressing of a record would be played to people who were known as the old greys – doormen in grey suits.

The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, passed the old grey whistle test.

It’s testament to the quality of BBC2 that many of their programmes from the last 50 years have passed the quality test.

We may not be able to whistle them, but when they are repeated they remain light years ahead of much of what passes for TV entertainment today.