TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Rhyl Grammar School pupil who went on to become the first presenter on S4C.
Robin Jones, whose bilingual skills led to him also working as a newsreader with BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, died this week, aged 71.
Mr Jones was born in the Abergele area and worked as a teacher at Ysgol Penmorfa, Prestatyn, in the early 1960s, before moving to South Wales and enjoying many years at the heart of the Welsh media.
But he retained a close link to the region thanks to having relatives in the area and attending reunions for former Rhyl Grammar School pupils.
Heather Davies, 72, of Rhuddlan, fondly remembers Mr Jones’ musical talents as a youngster in the school’s choir.
She said: “As a boy, Robin had a beautiful voice and it was a pleasure to hear him sing. It was nice to see him at the reunions and he will be sadly missed.”
Margaret Jones, who helped organise the reunions, also paid tribute to Mr Jones as news of his death broke.
She said: “Mr Jones was a likeable man who was welcomed at the reunions. He was an excellent example of someone who attended the grammar school and went on to enjoy great success.”
Mr Jones became the first presenter on S4C when the Welsh language channel launched in 1982, in the role of an in-vision announcer of the night’s programmes. He had earlier been highly prominent in the opening stages of other Welsh media outlets, including Radio Cymru and BBC Wales.
A spokesman for S4C expressed the station’s sadness at news of the death of Mr Jones and praised his contribution to the development of the station.
He said: “He was a cornerstone of the S4C service in the early, pioneering days of the channel and made a huge contribution as one of our first announcers.
“With his warm and natural presentation style and his thorough professionalism, he was a favourite among viewers and was hugely respected by the broadcasting industry.
“We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family.”
Mr Jones died in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, having suffered from cancer in recent months. He leaves his wife, Eirlys, and two daughters, Iona and Lisa.