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| BBC Radio 3 announcer Patricia Hughes dies, aged 90 | BBC Radio 3 announcer Patricia Hughes dies, aged 90 |
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| Former BBC radio announcer Patricia Hughes - one of the most distinctive BBC voices over several decades - has died at the age of 90. | Former BBC radio announcer Patricia Hughes - one of the most distinctive BBC voices over several decades - has died at the age of 90. |
| Famed for her elegant tones, Hughes started at the BBC as a secretary in 1944, before appearing on what was then the "overseas service". | Famed for her elegant tones, Hughes started at the BBC as a secretary in 1944, before appearing on what was then the "overseas service". |
| She later appeared on the Light Programme, the Home Service and the Third Programme, now known as Radio 3. | She later appeared on the Light Programme, the Home Service and the Third Programme, now known as Radio 3. |
| In 1969, following a career break, she returned to Radio 3 until 1983. | In 1969, following a career break, she returned to Radio 3 until 1983. |
| For many years, she was the only female announcer on Radio 3. As well as introducing chamber music concerts, her duties also included reading news stories. | For many years, she was the only female announcer on Radio 3. As well as introducing chamber music concerts, her duties also included reading news stories. |
| 'Appalling voice test' | 'Appalling voice test' |
| In later life, she continued to use her vocal skills, recording a number of audiobooks, including an autobiography of Margaret Thatcher. | In later life, she continued to use her vocal skills, recording a number of audiobooks, including an autobiography of Margaret Thatcher. |
| She died on Friday at a nursing home in Winchester, Hampshire. | She died on Friday at a nursing home in Winchester, Hampshire. |
| She leaves a daughter, Emma, and two granddaughters. | She leaves a daughter, Emma, and two granddaughters. |
| Michael Berkeley, presenter of Private Passions on Radio 3, said she had been an "utterly idiosyncratic voice of Radio 3 for many years". | Michael Berkeley, presenter of Private Passions on Radio 3, said she had been an "utterly idiosyncratic voice of Radio 3 for many years". |
| Radio 3 controller Roger Wright said he was "saddened" to hear of the death of "one of BBC Radio 3's best loved voices". | Radio 3 controller Roger Wright said he was "saddened" to hear of the death of "one of BBC Radio 3's best loved voices". |
| He added: ""Her contribution to radio in general and the station in particular was significant; not least her memorable introductions to lunchtime concerts. She was much-loved by our listeners and her death marks the passing of an era." | He added: ""Her contribution to radio in general and the station in particular was significant; not least her memorable introductions to lunchtime concerts. She was much-loved by our listeners and her death marks the passing of an era." |
| She was one of the first women to read the news on BBC radio - four years before Sheila Tracy famously became the first woman newsreader on Radio 4. | She was one of the first women to read the news on BBC radio - four years before Sheila Tracy famously became the first woman newsreader on Radio 4. |
| Hughes said once: "Reading the news isn't something that it is absolutely necessary for men to do... you don't have to have a deep voice to sound authoritative." | Hughes said once: "Reading the news isn't something that it is absolutely necessary for men to do... you don't have to have a deep voice to sound authoritative." |
| She later later recalled her first audition: "I did an appalling voice test, it was full of German names, and I knew no German but I spluttered away. I could hear them giggling at me. But I got the job. When I asked them why...they said 'You were the only one who kept going'." | She later later recalled her first audition: "I did an appalling voice test, it was full of German names, and I knew no German but I spluttered away. I could hear them giggling at me. But I got the job. When I asked them why...they said 'You were the only one who kept going'." |
| 'Reluctant departure' | 'Reluctant departure' |
| Her departure from the BBC in 1983 was said to be "reluctant" - she had reached the statutory retirement age - and she was rewarded with a special commendation at the inaugural Sony Awards that year. | Her departure from the BBC in 1983 was said to be "reluctant" - she had reached the statutory retirement age - and she was rewarded with a special commendation at the inaugural Sony Awards that year. |
| Patricia Hughes had many outside interests, including gardening, animals and the piano and she also wrote a number of light music pieces that the record producer Joe Meek helped her to have published - including one, It Happened in a Dream, which reportedly still earns royalties today. | Patricia Hughes had many outside interests, including gardening, animals and the piano and she also wrote a number of light music pieces that the record producer Joe Meek helped her to have published - including one, It Happened in a Dream, which reportedly still earns royalties today. |
| In Simon Elmes' book, Hello Again: Nine Decades of Radio Voices, Hughes described how she used to spend nights in the radio announcers' dormitory - in a building which has since been converted into the Langham Hotel - and recalled one particularly memorable broadcast. | In Simon Elmes' book, Hello Again: Nine Decades of Radio Voices, Hughes described how she used to spend nights in the radio announcers' dormitory - in a building which has since been converted into the Langham Hotel - and recalled one particularly memorable broadcast. |
| She told the author: "By the mercy of God I'd remembered to take a diaphanous negligee to put over my nightie, which I didn't normally do. | She told the author: "By the mercy of God I'd remembered to take a diaphanous negligee to put over my nightie, which I didn't normally do. |
| "I rushed down the stairs, tore across Portland Place into Broadcasting House and luckily with about three or four minutes to spare, got into the studio, very breathless. I read the news at nine. Then, at 10, I realised with appalling clarity that I was still in my nightdress, hair in all directions looking like nothing on earth." | "I rushed down the stairs, tore across Portland Place into Broadcasting House and luckily with about three or four minutes to spare, got into the studio, very breathless. I read the news at nine. Then, at 10, I realised with appalling clarity that I was still in my nightdress, hair in all directions looking like nothing on earth." |