Tributes to 'great' broadcaster

Barry Cowan died after a long illness

Tributes have been paid to the broadcaster Barry Cowan, who has died following a long illness.

Mr Cowan, 56, was a high-profile figure in television and radio in Ireland for many years. He died in hospital on Wednesday night.

He presented BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster as well as Evening Extra.

In 1974, he became the anchor presenter of the main television news programme for BBC Northern Ireland at that time, Scene Around Six.

He was the first presenter of Radio Ulster's Talkback programme as well as the editor of the television current affairs programme, Spotlight.

'Quick wit'

Anna Carragher, Controller of BBC Northern Ireland, said she was "deeply saddened" by his death.

"He was one of the great broadcasters in Northern Ireland over the last three decades and combined huge knowledge of Irish and Northern Irish life in politics with a penetrating intellect and a quick wit," she said.

"I have known Barry since we were both students at Queen's in the late 60s where he was one of a generation of wonderful broadcasters."

Mr Cowan was renowned as a humorous man but also an astute and well-prepared interviewer who often put politicians on the spot.

Seamus Mallon of the SDLP said: "He had all of the talents, but did it extremely fairly.

"He did it in a way that if you were going to be sloppy, he just took you to pieces."

DUP leader Ian Paisley said he was a "talented man, a great man and a character".