One of nation's most treasured voices falls silent as Tom Fleming dies, aged 82

THE man who was the voice of the Edinburgh Tattoo and whose resonant Scottish accent was heard by millions across the world, has died.

• Tom Fleming as George Macleod in Every Blessing Thing at The Netherbow. Picture: Neil Hanna

Broadcaster and actor Tom Fleming, 82, died at St Columba's Hospice in Edinburgh on Sunday night, his agent said. Fleming, who entertained and informed millions, provided the commentary for consecutive Tattoos from 1966 until 2009.

His distinctive voice described major royal and state occasions, including the Queen's coronation, Diana's funeral and the opening of the Scottish Parliament. First Minister Alex Salmond said Fleming was "a great Scot who will be much missed".

As well as his acting, Fleming was acclaimed for his work as a director and poet. His services to the arts in Scotland were rewarded with an OBE in 1980, and he became a doctor of Heriot-Watt University in 1984 and a fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1986.

Born in Edinburgh in 1927, Fleming, the actor, played the lead in the first full-length televised drama production from Scotland, The Black Eye, in 1952.

The following year, he co-founded Edinburgh's Gateway Theatre and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1962. Three years later, he became director of the new Royal Lyceum Theatre and was director of the Scottish Theatre Company between 1982 and 1987.

• The Edinburgh Military Tattoo

He also led the Corporate Ministry of Canonmills Church in Edinburgh for 20 years.

In a distinguished career, Fleming commentated not only on the 1953 coronation, but also the Queen's silver jubilee, two royal weddings and ten funerals, and the enthronement of two popes.

In 1995, he was principal commentator for the BBC for the VE and VJ Day commemorations and was well known for his annual commentary on the Cenotaph service in London.

In addition to state events, he helped to present the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972.

Amanda Bruce, his close friend and agent, last night paid tribute, saying: "Tom was cherished by so many people from all corners of the world.

"For all his very public roles on the stage, screen and on the air, he was essentially a most private man."

Last night, Hamish Coghill, journalist, writer and former assistant editor of the Edinburgh Evening News, paid tribute to the friend he had known for more than half a century.

He said: "Tom was very much a Scot who loved his country. He prepared immaculately for his broadcasts and his voice had that wonderful cadence which had authority, knowledge, reassurance and friendliness.

"He also had a tremendous sense of humour. At the launch of the QE2, he thought it was hilarious when a BBC engineer attempted to play a joke on him by editing the rushes so Tom was saying, 'And there goes the Queen down the slipway and out to sea', instead of, 'There goes the Queen Elizabeth II'."