Nancy Banks Smith

Here’s a profile of Nancy Banks-Smith (usually written with a hyphen) with citations:

Nancy Banks-Smith – Life, Career & Voice

Name & Identity
Nancy Banks-Smith (born 1929) is a British television and radio critic, best known for her long tenure at The Guardian.

She was born in Manchester, and raised in a pub. Roedean School for her education.

Nancy Banks-Smith began in journalism in 1951, as a reporter for the Northern Daily Telegraph.
From 1955 she worked in the women's section of the Sunday Mirror, then moved on to Daily Herald as a reporter.
Between 1960 and 1965 she was a feature writer for the Daily Express.
From 1965 to 1969 she served as a television critic for The Sun, but left after it was bought by Rupert Murdoch (becoming more tabloid in style).
In 1970, she joined The Guardian. Her television criticism column became a signature of the paper.
Over decades she became known for her sharp wit, measured tone, and longevity in criticism.
Later, she also wrote a monthly column “A month in Ambridge” about The Archers (a long-running radio soap) until around 2017.

In 1970 she was recommended for an OBE (Order of the British Empire), but she declined it.
Banks-Smith is also remembered for her perceptive and memorable quips. For instance:

“In my experience, if you have to keep the lavatory door shut by extending your left leg, it’s modern architecture.”

Nancy Banks-Smith’s work influenced how television and radio criticism is read in Britain, especially bringing thoughtful critique of broadcasting into mainstream press.
Her long career at The Guardian means her reviews cover decades of media evolution, making her a chronicler of shifts in British broadcasting.
Her decline of a formal honor (OBE) suggests a principled stance about recognition and independence in journalism.

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Nancy Banks Smith

Nancy Banks Smith