Phil Harding

The Gentle Giant of radio. Many have used the words ‘wise’ and ‘generous’ in their tributes to Tim and they are extremely apt for a brilliant man who we have lost all too soon.
As a student working on University Radio York I was in awe of the Story of Pop. It was one of those programmes that set the standard for music documentaries. It was the sort of programme that made you think ‘gosh I wish I could have made that’. It was one of the programmes that made me want to work in radio.
Later when at the BBC I was lucky enough to fall under Tim’s chairmanship for the Sony Awards. He was brilliant. The best chair I have ever worked under. What could have been a very divisive and bitter group was the exact opposite because he led it with ease, charm and unfailing good humour. I remember the first meeting we had after one infamous year where an excess of alcohol on the evening had led to a particularly rowdy ceremony. The evening had delighted some – if they could remember it – and had horrified others – to the extent of there being talk of boycotts. Tim brought it back under control for the following year with a lot of sweet talking, persuading some of the the pre-event booze buses that their journey wasn’t necessary and by ensuring there was a lot of alcohol-soaking bread early on the dinner menu.
He was always gently reminding us of the bigger picture for and what was going to be good for the industry as a whole. He was so good at it. He was a true master of the ceremony.