This was almost two hours of factual documentary. In our audience ratings, barely no one left the programme. The whole of his life is so fascinating and people kept watching for that reason.

He identifies himself as a committed Christian. Along with Cynthia McFadden and Terry Moran he took over Nightline from Ted Koppel in 2005. The New York Times called Bashir's journalism style "callous self-interest masked as sympathy.

He was previously an anchor for ABC's Nightline and is known for his interviews with Diana Princess of Wales and controversy surrounding his interview and conflicting statements in his reports on the late singer Michael Jackson.