McDonald Hobley

McDonald Hobley, born Dennys Jack Valentine McDonald-Hobley, (9 June 1917,Stanley, Falkland Islands – 30 July 1987) was one of the earliest BBC Television continuity announcers, appearing on screen from 1946 to 1956.

Hobley (pronounced to rhyme with 'nobly') was the son of Charles McDonald Hobley, the naval chaplain at the cathedral in Stanley and his wife Gladys, née Blanchard. He was christened Dennys Jack Valentine McDonald-Hobley and attended Brighton College, a public school, from 1931–36. He began his acting career in repertory theatre, under the stage names Val Blanchard and Robert Blanchard, using his mother's maiden name, and toured before the Second World War in J. B. Priestley's Time and the Conways.

During the Second World War, Hobley served with the Royal Artillery. He was involved in an ultimately abandoned plot to abduct Adolf Hitler and bring him to Britain. He also served in Ceylon with the British Forces Broadcasting Service.

After being demobbed, Hobley was selected as an announcer for the post-war revival of BBC Television.

He was also one of the comperes on the BBC's Come Dancing programme and appeared on various other shows as himself. He headed the team of BBC TV's early continuity announcers, which included Peter Haigh, Mary Malcolm and Sylvia Peters. He once introduced the politician Sir Stafford Cripps as 'Sir Stifford Crapps'. Hobley was also a presenter of BBC TV's For Deaf Children from 1953 to 1955.

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