ELIZABETH TAYLOR - BROADCASTER AND BIOGRAPHER SHERIDAN MORLEY DIES

The broadcaster Sheridan Morley has died suddenly in his sleep aged 65.

Born in Ascot, Berkshire to the actor Robert Morley, he soon developed a love of the theatre. His godfather was the actor and composer Noel Coward; his aunt married the much-loved actor Robert Hardy while his grandmother, Gladys Cooper, was also an Oscar-nominated actress.

In later years he compiled biographies of his godfather and father as well as other famous names such as Gertrude Lawrence, Elizabeth Taylor and Ginger Rogers.

Although he began his career as a newsreader for ITN in 1965 he is perhaps best known for his work as a radio broadcaster, presenting The Arts Programme and Melodies For You on BBC Radio Two and Kaleidoscope on BBC Radio Four.

Oxford-educated, Mr Morley was also an esteemed journalist and worked as assistant editor for the Times and Punch as an arts editor, as well as a drama critic for the Daily Express, the Spectator and the International Herald Tribune.

His successful play Noel and Gertie, based on letters between his godfather and his stage partner, ran for nine years in the West End.

He is survived by his second wife, the critic and television producer Ruth Leon, and a son and two daughters from his first marriage.