In the ring

On this day in 1933, the BBC staged the world's first televised boxing, with a 12ft square ring erected in Studio BB at Broadcasting House. There were two exhibition bouts - the first, four rounds between Freddie Baxter and Bill Lewis, both of Bethnal Green, and the second, of six rounds, pitting  middleweight contender Archie Sexton, also of Bethnal Green against Laurie Raiteri of Stratford. (Archie's son, Dave managed both Chelsea and Manchester United.)

The commentators were Viscount Scarsdale and Jim Mollison. Jim was a former RAF boxing champion and pioneering aviator. He married Amy Johnson in July 1932, and the couple were feted in the press as The Flying Sweethearts.

In September 1933, Jim and Amy came back to Broadcasting House for what seems to have been a televised talk, under the direction of Val Gielgud.

"A blue lamp was used in the projector for the first time when Jim Mollison and Amy Johnson came to the studio. Jim declined to make up; but thought that Amy would like to look her best. Despite fame and scorching publicity, Amy Johnson retains a soft, restful charm, and though she photographs badly, she televises well. She wore a black dress with white facings-colours that are always recommended for the televisor on account of the need for contrast. Her Northern accent gives homeliness to an undistinguished voice and her " Come on, Jim " and wistful smile must have melted many hearts as she drew her husband into the picture. Unaffected pride and simple pleasure were clearly reflected in her face by the check-receiver in the projection room, while her husband stood phlegmatic and unruffled beside her in the flickering beam of light.

"There is a Napoleonic quality about Jim Mollison. Short and square, but not heavily built, with hair parted low one side and draped over the forehead at the other, immobile features and a steady stare. The illusion would have been complete had he followed directions and placed his arm across his chest to cover his shirtfront. He spoke fluently, unperturbedly, and without a note, for five minutes."

Jim also featured on a day that was called the 'official' start of BBC TV in 1936, in a magazine show called Picture Page. But the flying couple's continued competition for aviation records may have been an element in their divorce, in 1938.