Chris Stuart, former BBC Radio 2 DJ, died on Wednesday. He was 73. The Durham-based journalist was known as the mastermind behind popular show ‘Only Connect’. He was the Westminster Abbey commentator across all the BBC’s radio networks and commentated on Princess Diana’s funeral. 

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“Everyone is devastated by the loss of Chris Stuart, our brilliant colleague. Joyful and lovely and wise and insightful, and a talented broadcaster himself, which listeners to Radio Wales will remember. Most of all he was our beloved, treasured, friend, and we’re heartbroken,” ‘Only Connect’ host Victoria Coren Michell paid tribute to Stuart.

BBC’s Director of Unscripted, Kate Phillips, said that Stuart was an ‘extremely talented and clever man’. 

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“We are devastated to hear of the passing of Chris Stuart, the creator and executive producer of one of the BBC’s most popular quiz shows Only Connect, and previously a presenter on both BBC Radio Wales and the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. He was an extremely talented and clever man, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. So many people have benefited and learnt their craft from him, he leaves an incredible legacy behind,” Phillips said.

Born in Durham, he was one of the first hosts of BBC Radio Wales. He moved to London to work on BBC Radio 2 as a daily presenter and Radio 4.

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“Chris used his intelligence, curiosity and engaging personality to brilliant effect. He was instrumental in ensuring the success of Radio Wales in its early days and became one of its defining and most recognised voices,” BBC Cymru Wales director Rhuanedd Richards said.

Stuart and his wife Megan, in 1993, set up their own television and radio production company – Presentable. The produced the famous quiz show Only Connect.