Rumpole of the Bailey debut on 17 December 1975 to good reviews by the critics. Aware of the potential for further stories centred on Rumpole, Irene Shubik approached the BBC's Head of Plays, Christopher Morahan, and obtained permission from him to commission a further six "Rumpole of the Bailey" scripts from John Mortimer. However, Morahan left his post at the BBC a short time later and his successor was not interested in turning "Rumpole of the Bailey" into a series. At around this time, Shubik was contacted by Verity Lambert, Head of Drama at Thames Television, who was looking for ideas for an up-market
Byron Bailey paper company. His wife of 36 years, Diana, died in 1986. After remarrying in 1989, Bailey moved north of Kelowna, British Columbia near where the Lions would hold their spring training camps. Bailey died of cancer at age 67 on January 18, 1998, at his home in Winfield, British Columbia. His funeral was held in Vancouver. Byron Bailey Byron Ledare"By" Bailey (October 12, 1930 – January 18, 1998) born to Rollin Edward and Cora Helen (Bruner). Bailey, was a professional American and Canadian football player, primarily as a fullback and defensive back with the Canadian Football League BC Lions. Born