Huw Thomas, who died on 12 March, 2009, aged 81, was one of the first ‘newscasters’ who helped bring television news into the modern age.

At Geoffrey Cox ’s recently formed and innovative ITN in the 1950s, the debonair Welshman was a popular alternative to the stuffy newsreaders on the BBC and one of the first generation of anchormen to be recognised as journalists in their own right.

ITN helped usher in such modern conventions as dialogue between presenters in the studio and reporters on the scene, grilling political figures and allowing the personalities of the newscasters to shine through, which is where the eloquent and handsome Thomas came in.

Born in 1927, Huw Thomas was as Welsh as they came, playing rugby and singing baritone with a church choir. He studied law at Aberystwyth and Cambridge and also trained as a pilot with the RAF Volunteer Reserve.

He was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn and practised in London, Wales and Chester before becoming assistant director representing the Department of Public Prosecution at the Old Bailey. But in 1956 his career took a new direction when he answered an advert to become a newscaster on ITN.

He was perhaps the first news presenter to receive fan mail by the sack load and he was also respected within the industry for his ability to keep calm amid the chaos and unpredictability of live broadcasts. His relaxed style also made him suited to magazine discussion programmes.

In 1964 he left ITN to form his own company which produced television documentaries and offered public relations consultancies to blue-chip firms. Later in the decade he became active with the Liberal Party, appearing in party political broadcasts and even standing (unsuccessfully) at the 1970 general election.

His wife of 45 years, Anne, died in 2005. He was survived by their three children.