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Veteran BFBS & BBC Newsreader Peter Donaldson Dies
A frequent listener to BFBS from an early age, veteran broadcaster Peter Donaldson has died aged 70.
Donaldson listening to the BFBS' predecessor, FBS Cyprus, in 1954
Radio 4 Today presenter John Humphrys said his former colleague, who had suffered from cancer, was "one of the great radio newsreaders".
Mr Donaldson's first job in broadcasting came with BFBS Radio before he later joined BBC Radio 2. He later moved to Radio 4, where he became chief announcer in 1983.
In the audio excerpt Donaldson reflects on his first posting with BFBS in Aden, where he was the youngest member of the team.
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He retired in 2012, signing off with the midnight news on New Year's Eve.
BBC Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams paid tribute to him, saying: "Peter was a magnificent broadcaster. His voice came to stand for Radio 4 and to stand for the high quality of our content."
"When you heard those deep tones on air you could expect the best - you believed what he said - and you felt, somehow, safe.
"He was enormously kind to me when I was a young producer and we would often share a chat over the headlines late at night in Broadcasting House. We will miss him."
Strictly Come Dancing contestant and BBC presenter Jeremy Vine also remembered him, writing on Twitter: "Peter Donaldson, who has died, was a brilliant BBC newsreader. Once, feeling irritated with bosses, he announced himself as Donald Peterson."
Cricket presenter Jonathan Agnew tweeted: "Peter Donaldson, the voice of Radio 4 for years has died. Nobody interrupted @bbctms for shipping forecast so mischievously. Loved cricket."
BBC news presenter Jane Hill tweeted: "Ah, the delightful #PeterDonaldson. On air, so professional. Off air, always had time for a chat in the corridor, with a twinkle in the eye."
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