Alvar Lidell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Tord Alvar Quan Lidell 11 September 1908 |
| Died | 7 January 1981 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | King's College School, Wimbledon |
| Alma mater | Exeter College, Oxford |
| Occupation(s) | Radio announcer, newsreader |
| Notable credit | BBC News |
| Spouse |
Nancy Corfield (m. 1938) |
| Children | 3 |
Tord Alvar Quan Lidell MBE (11 September 1908 – 7 January 1981) was an English radio announcer and newsreader for the BBC and compere. He joined BBC Birmingham as chief announcer in 1932 before moving to London the following year. Lidell was made deputy chief announcer of the BBC in 1937 and announced important events such as Edward VIII's abdication and Britain's declaration of war with Germany in 1939.
During the Second World War his distinctive voice became synonymous with the reading of news. Lidell left the BBC for one year to report for duty with the Royal Air Force and became chief announcer of the BBC Third Programme in 1946. He began reading news bulletins regularly on the BBC Home Service and the Light Programme from 1951 to his retirement in 1969. Lidell was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1964.