Robin Arthur Philip Duval (born 1941) was Director of the

British Board of Film Classification The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a non-governmental organization, non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films exhibited ...

, (the "Film Censor"), from 1999 to 2004. Duval was educated at

King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School (KES) is an independent school (UK), independent day school for boys in the British Public school (UK), public school tradition, located in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Founded by Edward VI of England, King Edward VI in 1552, it ...

before reading history at

University College London University College London (Trade name, branded as UCL) is a Public university, public research university in London, England. It is a Member institutions of the University of London, member institution of the Federal university, federal Uni ...

(UCL) during which he took part in the first series of

University Challenge ''University Challenge'' is a British television quiz programme which first aired in 1962. ''University Challenge'' aired for 913 episodes on ITV from 21 September 1962 to 31 December 1987, presented by quizmaster Bamber Gascoigne. The BBC ...

. He subsequently studied at the University of Michigan as a Fulbright Scholar. He began his career in

BBC radio BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927. The service provides national radio stations cove ...

and as a TV advertisement writer and producer at J. Walter Thompson. In 1968 he joined the

Central Office of Information The Central Office of Information (COI) was the UK government's marketing and communications agency. Its chief executive reported to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. It was a non-ministerial department, and became an executive agency and a ...

(COI), eventually becoming their Head of Television and Film Production. He then became Deputy Director of Programmes at the

Independent Television Commission The Independent Television Commission (ITC) licensed and regulated commercial television services in the United Kingdom (except S4C in Wales) between 1 January 1991 and 28 December 2003. History The creation of ITC, by the Broadcasting Act ...

before succeeding James Ferman as Director of the BBFC in 1999. His directorship was marked by his 2000 decision no longer to cut films for adults (unless they broke criminal law). He also abolished the '12' age-based rating for cinema, replacing it with an advisory '12A' rating. On retirement from the BBFC, he was appointed

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(CBE) in the 2005

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for services to the film industry. Duval was succeeded by David Cooke. In his personal life, Duval's interests include attending concerts, operas and football matches. He is married with four daughters. Since he retired from the BBFC he has become a novelist, writing political thrillers set against an international backdrop. Bear in the Woods was published in 2010, its follow-up Below the Thunder in 2013 and Not Single Spies in 2015. However his latest novel, Going to America, published in 2021, explores a quite different theme: the conflict between age and youth as an old and once famous actor takes his granddaughter on the trip of a lifetime to New Orleans.

References

1941 births Living people People educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham British censors Commanders of the Order of the British Empire {{UK-film-bio-stub