Bryan Martin, who died on 4 March, 2009, aged 73, was a radio newsreader and one of the most familiar voices on Radio 4 during the course of three decades.

He also lent his tones to comedy output such as The Goon Show, The News Quiz and The Men From the Ministry, reading news spoofs and amusing clippings.

Bryan Russell Martin, who was born in Cumbria on 29 May, 1935, was first heard on the radio acting at the age of 11 on the Children’s Hour. However, his interest in medicine saw him begin working life as a medical photographer at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

He was called up for national service but discharged after six weeks on medical grounds. He then wrote to the BBC asking for work and briefly resumed his acting before accepting a position as a studio manager in 1958.

In the early 1960s he stood in for regular broadcasters, eventually becoming an announcer in his own right. As a presenter he was known for his eloquence and a love of music, introducing concerts on the Third Programme.

After the introduction of Radio 4 in 1967 he rose to become the station’s senior newsreader and announced such historic events as the death of Elvis Presley in 1977 and the Iranian embassy siege in 1980.

As well broadcasting on the radio, Mr Martin was involved in training British Forces Broadcasting personnel, continued to photograph medical procedures and did freelance work for Channel 4 television.

He retired from the BBC in 1992. Between 1959 and their divorce in 1978 he was married to Mary Hallewell, a BBC studio manager, and they had one son. He was survived by his son and his companion of more than 30 years, Eileen Jay.