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Tribute was paid today to broadcaster Allan Robb, who has died aged 49.

Born in Edinburgh, Allan began his career at Northsound Radio, in Aberdeen, before moving on to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 1 and then to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Scotland.

Allan joined ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 5 Live in 1994, working on the station for 12 years, where he presented a number of daytime news programmes – most recently Midday News.

During his time on the station, he presented on the morning of Princess Diana's death, captured an exclusive interview with Nelson Mandela and presented live from Sydney on New Year's Day 2000. He also reported live from Paris in 2005 as the announcement of the successful candidacy for London's 2012 Olympic bid was annnounced.

Radio 5 Live Controller, Adrian Van Klaveren, said: "Allan had a quiet authority and warmth to his broadcasting that listeners loved – he was a great professonal and is a great loss to the radio industry."

Radio 5 Live breakfast presenter Nicky Campbell, who had known Allan for over 40 years, since their first day at school aged four in their native Edinburgh, said: "He was a great broadcaster and professional and had a quick and agile mind, asking questions that people couldn't hide from.

"It's one of the saddest days of my life. He pointed up to Broadcasting House and said: 'We work there for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ'. He never forgot that."

AB