Broadcaster John Timpson dies

The journalist died yesterday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, five weeks after his 42-year-old son Nick died suddenly.

Timpson presented Today between 1970 and 1986, partnering Jack De Manio, Robert Robinson and finally Brian Redhead. He also presented Any Questions? for three years, and won a Sony Gold Award for outstanding services to radio in 1986.

Jenny Abramksy, Director of BBC Radio, who worked as a producer on Today with Timpson, said he was one of radio's greats. "John's partnership with Brian Redhead on the Today programme was one of the great broadcasting duets," she said. "His sense of humour and his humanity shone through."

The current editor of the Today programme, Kevin Marsh, said Timpson was an inspiration to him.

"I grew up listening to him and he was one of the reasons I got into radio broadcasting," he said.

Timpson, who was born in Middlesex in 1928, began his career as a junior reporter on the Wembley News. He joined the BBC in 1959.

He leaves a widow and one son.