Ned Sherrin, broadcaster, playwright, producer, director and occasional actor, has nearly reached the age of 75, although you would never know it.

His energy and enthusiasm for the world of media may be waning somewhat, but it is only by his own admission that this becomes apparent.

He has just published his autobiography. Some young celebrities release their autobiographies in their 20s, which seems presumptuous, or perhaps a frank admission that they know their star could fade as quickly as it rose. But Sherrin has earned his, and this weighty autobiography seems entirely appropriate.

His career has encompassed more than 50 years from the day he was in London, expecting to join the legal profession for which he had just completed his studies. A brief sojourn with the theatre while at Oxford turned a chance meeting into a life changing event.

"I was walking along the Strand, and bumped into Stephen Wade, who I had met at the Oxford revue. He asked me what I was doing. I said proudly I am a barrister'. He said We're starting a commercial television next week. Why don't you come and join us?' He took me to meet his boss, Keith Rogers, who said: We can only offer you a producer's job, I'm afraid'. I was rather surprised, having expected to be a tea boy, but managed to keep quiet and ask about the salary. It's only £900 a year'. Well I was expecting to earn about £450 a year from any other job, and even I could work out that £900 is twice £450, so I said yes."

Sherrin is sympathetic to anyone wanting to get into television today: "The only advice I can offer is walk down The Strand and bump into some bloke".

This began a career that included being the driving force behind That Was The Week That Was (TW3), which was a precursor to so many stalwarts of modern programming.

"It was certainly the first of the so-called satirical shows, which predated Private Eye, Spitting Image and Have I Got News For You."

But wasn't it taken off air after a reasonably short shelf-life, due to conflict with the BBC?

"Yes but people forget that we made 37 shows, as we ran for long periods of time during the two years we were on. Whereas shows now run for a series of only six or eight."

It was some years ago, but it is clear that devising, directing and co-writing this show is still one of Sherrin's proudest achievements.

The cast and writers alone are a who's who of British comedy, satire, writing and journalism in the past 40 years (Levin, Tynan, Cleese, Betjeman, Speight, Potter, Dahl, Cook among many others), and the ground-breaking format was exported to the USA, where the show was hosted by Henry Fonda.

It certainly influenced the future of British broadcasting, even if it took 20 years to catch up with TW3.

But it was just one chapter in Sherrin's career. He then began a long writing partnership with Caryl Brahms, which continued for many years. Brahms died in 1981, but not before they penned several plays, screenplays and films. He was involved with film, theatre and television throughout the rest of the 60s and 70s, including producing Up Pompeii and The Virgin Soldiers, all of which point towards a very liberal output, and a career much of which involved breaking rules, and pushing boundaries, but it is debatable whether this was by accident or design.

Sherrin is reluctant to be outspoken about the broadcasting world except to mention of his recent time at the BBC that it is a good thing that John Birt is no longer director general. He will not be drawn on recent developments at the organisation. He only says that the world of TV is a young man's game, and suggests there is no longer a place for a person of his years.

He has been presenting a slightly more sober show, Loose Ends, on Radio 4 since 1986. A pretty hefty 20 years is approaching, and although conceding his age is against him, he seems to have enough enthusiasm and energy on the show to continue for some time. But perhaps the ground-breaking years of conflict and change which have dominated the most memorable years of his career are now behind him.

Now is the time to relax and write an autobiography in reasonable leisure.

"I have not found it too much of a challenge, as I have been able to take my time, and do bits here and there." It seems he is happy to relax and enjoy his later years, of a life which has taken him many miles from his birthplace on a Somerset farm in 1931.

Ned Sherrin is giving a talk and will sign copies of his book on September 28 at 7pm at Methven's Booksellers, Pescod Street, Windsor.

The event is part of the Windsor Festival which runs from September 20 to October 2. The festival highlights include talks and shows starring Michael Palin, Andrew Motion Christopher Martin-Jenkins A life in Cricket, Prunella Scales, City of London Sinfonia, London Mozart Players, walks, and many more events.

For tickets to all the events and a complete diary of events call 01753 740121 or www.windsorfestival.com