The emblematic host of Big headsPhilippe Bouvard, who will celebrate his 95th birthday on December 6, gives his news to BFMTV.
He is blind and can no longer hear well. But Philippe Bouvard's voice is intact and his spirit is still “quivering”. A few days before his 95th birthday, the host who will retire next January, gave his news to BFMTV. The emblematic presenter of Big heads is delighted with the screening in Cannes, where he lives, of a documentary on his career, entitled The Thousand and One Lives of Philippe Bouvard.
“I went blind about 8 years ago, one day when I was at the Monaco casino. Suddenly, the large chandelier I was under turned completely black. It never regained its color. Hearing has fallen a lot, but there are devices which partly make up for the shortages.
“Simply, when I find myself with colleagues and questions that excite me a little, I have the impression that the mind continues to quiver,” he adds.
Coming on stage to meet the public, after the screening of the documentary, Philippe Bouvard was applauded at length by the people of Cannes.
“I am very happy that we see, in the old man that I have become, a former young man who is still as enthusiastic,” he also confided.
Record longevity
Last June, the journalist announced that he would retire on January 1, 2025, after 60 years of career. It is to beat this record longevity at the RTL microphone that Philippe Bouvard will cut the microphone on this date.
“Because on January 1, I will have established the double record that I hoped for, that is to say 60 years of radio and 60 years of RTL,” he then explained, adding, “I would like to have this one (this record, editor's note), because, I won't hide it from you, I really liked the radio, and the radio gave it back to me.”
The documentary The thousand and one lives of Philippe Bouvard was screened on November 30 at the Croisette theater in the presence of the host. This new film, directed by Fabrice Gardel and Edward Beucler, combines the testimony of Philippe Bouvard with that of his loved ones, public and political figures. It is also peppered with personal archives.
Victor Labbay with Magali Rangin
