Tributes are pouring in from colleagues of BBC television presenter Christopher Price following the announcement on Monday night of his death. He was 34 years of age.
Price began his career in local radio, after joining the BBC's reporter training scheme. From there, he moved up to national radio, forming part of the team that launched BBC Radio Five Live in 1994, where he worked for three years before joining the launch team for BBC News 24. There, he was an evening newsreader; but his talent was soon spotted and he moved into presenting entertainment news shows, including News 24's Zero 30, which aired nightly.
Price then moved to BBC Choice in May 2000, where he presented the show he loved, Liquid News. He once quipped that the website for the show should display his epitaph as being: "This was Liquid News and these were tonight's headlining stories."
BBC News' Nick Higham commented that the corporation was "grooming" Price for greater things, and certainly this was already evident, with Liquid News being given a slot on BBC One, and co-presenting the UK's Song For Europe show last month with Brookside actress Claire Sweeney.
Roger Mosey, the BBC's Head of Television News, recognised that Price was one of those unique broadcasters that manage to engage with the audience, presenting news stories while still being accessible and likeable: "Christopher's greatest contribution was to BBC Choice, but in recent years he was also a highly-talented presenter on Radio 5 Live and on BBC News 24. It was on News 24 that he pioneered "Zero30" which became Liquid News. We will miss his journalism as well as his wit, and he was a sparky and entertaining colleague as well as a much-loved presenter on screen."
Controller of BBC One, Lorraine Heggessey, acknowledged that he would have gone far in broadcasting: "I was terribly sad to hear that Christopher has died, he clearly had a bright future ahead of him and in a short space of time had established himself as a strong individual voice. I'll miss his unique brand of humour and I know BBC One viewers will too."
The most empassioned description of Price came from the controller of BBC Choice, Stuart Murphy, who said: "“Christopher was a unique broadcaster, with enormous passion and extraordinary potential. His tragic death comes as a complete shock and will sadden everyone who knew him. His acerbic wit and boundless cheek made him an absolute pleasure to watch, and an entertaining friend to many, both in front of and behind the camera. Our thoughts are with the people who were closest to him."
The reaction on our forums has been one of shock and disbelief - feelings that will no doubt be echoed by many other thousands of people.
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