12 Facts About Stuart Hibberd

Andrew Stuart Hibberd was a British radio personality for 40 years.

Stuart Hibberd is perhaps best known for his announcements of the death of King George V in 1936, and of Adolf Hitler in 1945.

Stuart Hibberd then won a Choral Scholarship to St John's College at the University of Cambridge.

Stuart Hibberd volunteered at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, becoming an Army officer.

Stuart Hibberd served with the Dorset Regiment at Gallipoli, and then in India, reaching the rank of captain.

Stuart Hibberd married Alice Mary Chichester in July 1923, and joined the BBC the following year, winning an MBE for his broadcasting in 1935.

Stuart Hibberd was the chief announcer on BBC Radio until his retirement from the post in 1951, but continued to present BBC radio programmes until 1964.

Stuart Hibberd's voice was ideal for grave and solemn occasions and he is best remembered for his announcement of King George V's impending death on 20 January 1936 with the words: "The King's life is moving peacefully towards its close".

From 1949, Stuart Hibberd presented The Silver Lining, a Thursday afternoon programme aimed at disabled and housebound people.

Stuart Hibberd retired as chief announcer in 1951, but continued to present The Silver Lining until it ended its run in 1964.

Stuart Hibberd was the subject of This Is Your Life in May 1957 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith, London.

Stuart Hibberd died on 1 November 1983, at the age of 90, and his funeral was held three days later, at St Peter's Church in Budleigh Salterton in Devon.