Frank Gardner uses a wheelchair because he was shot six times by Al Qaeda (Image: Getty) Audio books often send me to sleep even if they are interesting, so I prefer to turn real pages. But I might make an exception to hear Frank Gardner, the BBC ’s Security Correspondent, read his new spy thriller, Invasion. He has such a beautiful voice.
Slightly old-fashioned posh, with that sting of authority. He has been even more of a presence than usual, invited on various talk shows to promote the new novel. Twenty years ago, Gardner himself became the story when he was shot six times by Al Qaeda gunmen.
He now uses a wheelchair. Here is one of the stories he told. Scheduled for a slot on BBC News he found himself waiting for a lift.
Ten minutes passed. He was also being filmed for a documentary at the time and his irritation is palpable. He would miss his slot.
The lifts that arrived were full and nobody thought to get out so he could wheel himself in. Eventually he had to go in search of another lift. And it still rankles that none of his BBC colleagues – caught on camera, staring dumbly at him from the lift as the doors open and close – has apologised.
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