THEIR faces may not be as well-known as John Humphrys’ or Kate Adie’s, but their voices are as familiar to us as those of our dearest friends.

For 40 years they have guided us through war, mourning and the occasional sporting triumph. Now a broadcasting era is drawing to a close as the commanding voices of Radio 4 drift away with the Shipping Forecast. Brian Perkins and Peter Donaldson are leaving.

In their place we shall hear more of the honeyed tones of Charlotte Green and Harriet Cass, and “received pronounciation” will make way for more regional accents.

Mr Perkins, a New Zealander who “knocked on the BBC’s door” when he arrived in London in the 60s, found himself making an unlikely journey from orchestral bass player to sinister crime boss, via the old Home Service.

Now he is retiring — to the consternation of Jon Culshaw, Dead Ringers impressionist and architect of the criminal persona. “Brian cannot retire,” he said. “He is a national institution.” Mr Perkins had, he added, challenged the sinister characterisation, saying: “Your Brian is nothing like me — I like fine wine, the French countryside and good music. But I do know where you live . . .”

Mr Donaldson, a former Royal Shakespeare Company actor who joined the BBC via British Forces Broadcasting, is also stepping down after 15 years as Radio 4’s chief announcer. The man who famously threw the BBC values booklet in the bin will, however, continue to read the news — or, as he put it, “finish my time here as a backbencher”.

Newsreaders now expected to gain a higher profile include Ms Green, Ms Cass, Rory Morrison and Corrie Corfield. But will that profile ever be high enough for us to put a face to the voice?

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