Please answer the following question: Facts: - death place: kensington , london , england , uk - credits: itn , '' news at ten '' - years active: 1963 -- 1991 - caption: alastair burnet photo from 1960s - birth name: james william alexander burnet - death date: 20 july 2012 - spouse: maureen sinclair -lrb- 1958-2012 ; his death -rrb- - alias: sir alastair burnet - birth date: 12 july 1928 - name: sir alastair burnet - image: alastair burnet.jpg - birth place: sheffield , west riding of yorkshire , england - occupation: tv presenter , newscaster and journalist Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of alastair burnet .
Answer:
sir james william alexander burnet , known as sir alastair burnet -lrb- 12 july 1928 -- 20 july 2012 -rrb- , was a british journalist and broadcaster , best known for his work in news and current affairs programmes , including a long career with itn as chief presenter of the flagship '' news at ten '' for eighteen years ; sir robin day described burnet as '' the booster rocket that put itn into orbit '' .burnet was also a prominent print journalist who edited '' the economist '' and '' daily express '' .