BBC broadcaster Rory Morrison dies of cancer aged 48

Tributes pour in to the father-of-two who suffered from a rare type of lymphatic cancer

Rory Morrison joined the BBC in 1990 (BBC)

The BBC broadcaster Rory Morrison, who for more than a decade was a familiar voice of Radio 4’s news bulletins and shipping forecasts, has died at the age of 48.

Morrison had been suffering from a rare type of lymphatic cancer which he was diagnosed with in 2004.

The station’s controller Gwyneth Williams said last night that Morrison was respected for his intelligence, integrity and professionalism. He had worked in numerous roles across the Corporation for more than two decades.

Morrison first joined the BBC in 1990 starting out in local radio and later becoming a continuity announcer and newsreader on Radio 4. His early career was spent working across a range of output including BBC's From Our Own Correspondent programme before he became a continuity announcer and news reader.

Tributes poured in to the father-of-two last night. Today presenter Corrie Corfield wrote on Twitter: “My heart is breaking. Farewell darling - you were one of life's joys. The world is a much less colourful place tonight.”

The cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew wrote: “Desperately sad to learn of death of Rory Morrison (48) A familiar TMS Radio4 voice for many years. Lovely man.”

Broadcaster Clare Balding, wrote: “The world has lost another kind, great man today. He didn't make headlines, he read them.”

Morrison was married to fellow BBC journalist Nikki Jenkins. In the years after his diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of lymphatic cancer he maintained a sunny temperament. He wrote in 2008: “I don't think in terms of having a battle with this cancer; I prefer to think of it as a chronic condition that I can, and will, manage. When something like this happens, you realise how lucky you are to have such great friends and family.”

Last night Ms Jenkins wrote: “Until death parts us. Today I have lost my beloved Rory. No words express the anguish I feel so forgive my silence from now.”