LONDON (AFP) — Tributes were paid Tuesday to renowned broadcaster and writer Ned Sherrin who has died from throat cancer. He was aged 76.
Sherrin came to prominence after devising the satirical BBC television show ?That Was The Week That Was? in the early 1960s. He then went to to front the popular Radio 4 show ?Loose Ends? from 1986.
The broadcaster and bon viveur died at his Chelsea home on Monday, a year after he was first diagnosed with throat problems.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said he was deeply saddened at the death of the entertainer who he described as a "trail blazer" who paved the way for modern comedy satire.
"His contribution across decades made him one of Britain's best-loved voices. The entertainment industry owes Ned Sherrin a huge debt and he will be remembered with enormous affection and gratitude by the BBC and by countless millions of viewers and listeners, he said.
Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer thanked Sherrin for bringing his "fabulous cocktail of wit, zest, curiosity and mischief" to the station.
"Ned and Loose Ends introduced to Radio 4 an incredible array of talent. He was an impresario as well as a great raconteur. He was a natural broadcaster - and got the best out of others," he said.
Sherrin born in 1931 and studied law at Oxford University before a chance meeting with a production member led to a job at the new commercial TV station ATV.
Two years later he moved to the BBC where he directed ?That Was The Week That Was?, the ?Tonight? programme, and a range of variety shows, panel games and musicals.
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