Last Night of the Proms - conducting fan?

[di1411]

Don't know if anyone can help with this, as it's a bit obscure, but here goes...

For a long time, on the last night of the proms, a young man with rather old-fashioned glasses used to stand on the front row and conduct at the same time as the official conductor. This was probably in the 1970s and 80s and this chap became quite well known, being referred to by the BBC presenters. Then suddenly he just wasn't there anymore.

Some friends and I were talking about him tonight and wondered whatever happened to him - anyone got any idea?

[Star sparkle]

His name is Ken, I think he still goes to the proms regularly but doesn't seem as enthusiastic to be at the front anymore. I could hazard a guess at the reasons for this but wouldn't want to post them on a website!