The Money Programme, BBC2

1:11pm Saturday 21st June 2008

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I CAN't say that I'm a regular viewer of The Money Programme but last night there was an hour long special which was fascinating.

Fiona Bruce, the star of Dead Ringers, ditched the leopardskin and headed off to interview arguably the most intriguing character in the business world Bill Gates.

The founder of Microsoft is worth more than most small countries, has played a major role in virtually all our daily lives and yet he spends his days in brightly coloured V-neck sweaters with the label showing.

Behind the schoolboy demeanour, however, you could see flashes of the ruthlessness which has made his company so dominant.

It was fun to watch his minions trailing round in his wake. Every credit to Fiona Bruce for marching into his office and asking the question that so many of us can sympathise with "does your computer crash?"

In the end Mr Gates was far too wily to give too much away and still remains something of an enigma.

But at least we got to spend some time with a man who wil be remembered as one of the key figures of the era.

If he approaches his new venture in retirement - a charitable foundation which will inherit virtually all his massive wealth - with the same flair and determination as he brought to Microsoft, then some major changes could be made to many of the social ills afflicting the planet.

Yes indeed, the geek shall inherit the earth.