has a voice of honey and gravel that was made for radio. He sounds like he's talking directly to you, with a quiet authority. He cares deeply about music, is constantly championing new acts and doesn't give a hoot about whether what he plays is considered 'cool' or not.

And best of all, he's one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

as spoken by Richie Benaud are my favourite two words in the history of broadcasting. Soothing, reassuring, comforting and ever so slightly thrilling. It means what passes for summer in these parts is underway; it means civilisation as we know it hasn't quite collapsed yet, despite everything. It means that the England middle order is likely to collapse before lunch, but it also means that, should you wish it, there is honey still for tea (though I'm more of a Marmite man myself.) It means that, all things considered, it's a joy to be alive and, all in all, things could be a lot worse.There may well be "Gridiron" commentators who have the same effect but I very much doubt it. And don't get me started on Alan Bloody Green.

...I have a lot of respect for Bob Harris. Comes off as a lovely bloke. I listen to his show now and again and whilst there's often a bit too much of the alt.country for me, there's always something I like on it. As has been said, he only plays what he likes, whether it's fashionable or not.

I do quite like Stuart Maconie too, whose bouyant enthusiasm for music is evident.

Whispering Bob Harris gets my vote. And there's no such thing as too much country music, no matter what kind it is. The fact that he didn't like Roxy Music when everyone else was raving about them gets my respect, I much prefer someone to stick to their guns even if they're in a tiny minority. I have discovered a great many really good bands and singers from listening to Bob - Brett Dennen, Sam Baker and Boxcar Preachers to name just three.
But this thread was about voices and there's no denying his grizzled pipes are a joy to listen to on the wireless.

The famous story about Charlotte Green was that when she read the shipping forecast some old gent wrote in asking her to read it slightly more slowly so they could "finish together". Hmmmm.

...listening to Hancock's Half Hour....theme and incidental music by Wally Stott....the programme was produced by..."
Don't know his name though.
Kenneth Horne also had the gravitas to keep some order amidst the fantabulosa Polari and frequent allusions to 'trade'.

The 'Couldn't get his leg over' clip is here.

Knowledgeable chap and great taste in music. The co-hosted GLR breakfast show with Fi Glover was always a great way to start the day.

Lilian Bellamy and Matt Crawford from The Archers.

(played by Sunny Ormonde and Kim Durham)

Sounds like an intellect, not a cliché dispenser.

...of course.
Even Eric Idle as "Alistair Cooke being attacked by a duck" didn't ruin him for us. He retired at 95.

over on 6 Music. One of the great broadcasters of the modern age.

...Stewart Henry, the Scot with the slightly quavering opening of "Yes, mah friends..." On Luxembourg, Bob Stewart was incredibly exciting because he had AN AMERICAN ACCENT. Although on reflection, he was probably Canadian. Still, that had been good enough for my grandmother in '44. I remember Rosko's commanding tones with fondness, but have a feeling that I might be horribly wrong to do so.

I find his voice very comforting, and I know he'll probably play some decent music.

If nothing else, to know that someone can be that old and that switched on... going back a few years I always looked forward to hearing Benny Green on Radio 2 on Sunday afternoons - gave me a complete education in an area of music I'd previously dismissed as Boring Stuff For Old People in a tone of quiet, warm authority.

Marvellously reassuring old school voice. Did the Food Programme on radio 4 for aeons. Seemed, um, rather keen on whisky. George Melly always spoke mellifluously (ho, ho) as well. Viv Stanshall could do a good narrate.

actually to qualify that later john peel, rather tha a fey hippy perfumed garden john.
utterly recognisable, mainly due to that fact that he would be apologiesing for playing a record at the wrong speed.
Cue most people making up session band names in there heads and attempting to say 'devils cheesecake' or 'plazma furnice' in a mock peel accent.

I don't think this is a particularly golden age for radio at the moment - too many that are just too irritating. Campbell, Derbyshire, Mayo, Allen, Ingham, Spooney, that late night 5Live Irish bloke, Moyles, Lamb, Wogan, Ross, Bruce, the right-on Radio London news lot, everyone on Virgin and Radio One... Maybe I am ready for Radio 4 now.

On the positive side, Alan Green is someone who can drive me nuts but I am always disappointed if he isn't doing the Arsenal match. Hearing Vanessa Phellps' beautiful command of the Englsh language is a rare treat. And 'shout-outs' (ha!) for Danny Baker, Steve Allen, Clive Bull, John Murray, Hawksbee & Jacobs.

Have to disagree with Fi Glover - she drove me nuts when she was on GLR, her how-gorgeous-am-I (not!) how-great-am-I (not all that) voice always overshadowing the far superior Gideon Coe.

David Jacobs on Sunday nights - super smooth on the Sabbath

Lucy Longhurst- always had a bit offscreen sparkle, but haven't heard her for ages, and Verity whatshername from Late Junction on Radio 3.

Guy Garvey has the perfect intimacy for his Sunday show.

Eddie Meyer was always a winner

I can't stand Fi Glover she always sounded a bit Smug-U-Like, and I end up cross eyed from Mo Dutta's pile driving jibber jabber.

From the distant past:
David Davies used to tell wonderful stories on Children's Hour
Johnny Morris
Ray Gosling

and more recently:
Charles Wheeler
Verity Sharp: Late Junction must be one of the best music programmes on radio anywhere.

James Alexander Gordon - however bad things get, when he talks as the brass band fades all that matters in life is that it's nearly teatime and there's no school/work tomorrow.

I used to love Peter Jones, especially as the voice of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Add Jones to Freud, Nimmo and Williams on "Just A Minute" and you've got a wonderful ensemble of the human voice.

I'm another one who hates the dry smugness of Fi Glover, Paddy O'Connell (and Eddie Mair) when they're smirking at the world on weekend mornings. I'd much rather hear the eternal enthusiasm of our "old mate" Brian Matthew.

It's difficult to separate the voice from the words of course, but I'm a fan of old-school, cliche-free, understated BBC voices, and "From Our Own Correspondent" is one of its last refuges. Charles Wheeler and John Simpson are good examples. Fergal Keane's "Letter to Daniel", written to his newborn son, is one of my favourite pieces of radio:
http://tinyurl.com/bx94u
Rather cheesily, I now send a transcript of this to any friend who's just had a baby.

And it almost goes without saying on this website that Danny Baker and Danny Kelly in full flight (preferably together) are radio gold.

I hesitate to say this but Simon Bates' voice, if you can forgive his cringe-worthy Radio 1 days, is perfect for the school run show on Classic FM. Kid-friendly and soothingly toned for harassed mums. Donds for Johnnie Walker. Remember too Roger 'Twiggy' Day on Radio Caroline. Always chirpy and bright, even through a force 10 gale. I booked him once for an end-of-term school disco. He arrived late but was still enjoyed by all and sundry.Has Bob Harris EVER said a word in anger?

Oh, andof course, the marvellous Brian Mathew and his pre-Wossie 60s show for nostalgia freaks. His is the place to hear a Chris Farlowe B-side or two.

Love the actor's voice on JUST A MINUTE but also loved Peter Jones The Football Commentator.When i hear his voice i think "great Tomorrow's Sunday No School".
Eddie Meyer reminds me of NEWSBEAT. I also like Andy Kershaw,John Peel,Barry Cryer. Also Jimmy Saville takes me to a different time.The Sunday Lunchtime show.
I like Brian Perkins on Radio 4 aqnd at the moment i also like Footy Commentator Simon Brotherton.

Gabby's growing into her new Sunday morning show on Radio 5, isn't she?

I agree with JJ (above) about Stuart Maconie: he either loves his job or is a bloody good actor.

Mark Radcliffe: I love his enthusiasm, his humour, the music he plays, but he sounds more and more like the late Eddie Wareing, which I find incredibly distracting...

I the 70's and 80's she had a gorgeous voice. Strangely the dulcet, well modulated, well spoken Annie of then has mutated into the "Ahm a real Cockernee geezer gal, an' no messin'" voice of today.

...and amazingly overlooked so far is John Arlott. Surely no voice was ever more evocative and, on occasion, provocative.

He once said about a cricketer called Cunis, "Funny sort of name, Cunis, neither one thing or the other".

"The batsman's Holding, the bowler's Willey" or vice versa. Was that him or another of the old school reprobates who make cricket more entertaining on the radio than on TV (or real life, if truth be told)?

But that's my personal choice....sort of Mariella Frostrup "lite"...!

I personally find Radcliffe's voice and intonations incredibly grating though his show is very entertaining.

I've always loved Robert Elms' voice and Danny Baker, probably because they were the only two voices on radio that sounded like me!

Marc Radcliffe(and Stuart) currently..and off course John Peel, but John Arlott,the best ever now if only he dug Dylan Beefheart etc but all we ask is someone genuine who believes and loves what he is doing!!! Love forever Bingham!!!!

Coren (late, lamented, of The News Quiz) .....great wit, great voice
Green .....footie commentator. Extraordinary voice - seems to come with built-in crowd noise

The quite extra-ordinary voice that inhabits Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour - you know it's a true radio voice when you look forward to the links just as much as the music (always the case with the Mark and Lard shows too).
Great to see Ace Records bringing out a double CD of some of the TTRH music too.

Robert Elms,Gideon Coe,Maconie & Radcliffe are to my taste but this could be cos i like the music they all play.
But my all time favourite was the late Roger Scott on Capital Radio in the late 70's...the man was DJ gold. I guess the connection is that these guys really love their music and are not concerned with portraying a "cool image" whatever that may be at the time...the direct opposite of the deluded George Lamb.

It just occurred to me, having plugged Radio Romance on another thread a few days ago. He's rarely heard in this country, but I recall when Lake Wobegon Days was serialised back in the mid 80's being enchanted by the voice and his stories. It's strange thinking back to a time when Today on R4 finished at 8:40 and was followed by a book serialisation. But I also recall discussing him with my mother and she didn't like his voice at all.
We were lucky enough to catch A Prairie Home Companion when it came over here for a recording. I can't remember why it came over though.
But let me hear those words "It has been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, my home town..." and for 15 minutes time stands still and all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.
I also liked to hear Martin Jarvis doing Just William in that era.

Much like the contributor who suggested Simon Bates, I'd plump for Richard Allinson. He's been on the fringes at BBC Radio 2 for a number of years and in the Lesley Douglas era of recruiting celebrities only, he has been effectively shunted off to the regions, only appearing when no one else wants to work. He has a great voice, smooth and calm and he prepares his links. As opposed to those presenters who just seem to read texts out as they come in, Richard has structured links and a definite interest in music. I was listening to his BBC Radio Oxford show on the iPlayer this week and he played 'Lady Day and John Coltrane' by Gil Scott Heron on his album show. Some may find him smarmy but I find that he is the only presenter these days apart from Bob Harris that I actually want to listen to.

John Peel - memories of discovering indie music under the bedcovers circa 1983.
Andy Kershaw - antidote to all that's crap about DJ's.
Lynn Parsons - aural equivalent of a nice hot bath and clean sheets.
Marianne Finucane - from RTE Irish radio, such a soothing voice.