The Editor, Sir:

I just heard the stunning news that my journalistic model and the pre-eminent current affairs interviewer of our time, Tim Russert, has died suddenly. It is no cliché to say that his loss is irreparable.

Tim, as the host of the premier current affairs programme, Meet the Press, with a pedigree equalled by none, was as formidable as he was charming.

non-confrontational

He had the unusual knack of asking the toughest, most disconcerting questions in the most disarming manner and non-confrontational style. His preparation and use of quotes was legendary: With the trademark quote that would come back to haunt the interviewee.

It was small wonder Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and that from President Bush to the Clintons, he has been praised highly. No one could listen to Tim Russert and discern his own biases.

journalistic legend

He was a journalistic legend, a rare treasure in the goldmine of American journalism. In a tough and competitive field he managed to stand above the rest.

My Sunday mornings will never be the same, nor my weekend evenings when I would catch his in-depth interviews on CNBC.

Friends have already been calling me to sympathise with what they know will be a significant loss. President Bush was certainly right when he said, "Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well informed and thorough in his interviews".

He proved that one did not have to be irascible to be hard-hitting as an interviewer. I am proud to belong to a profession which could have produced such greatness as we saw in Tim's life of only 58 years. Rest in peace, Exemplar.

I am, etc.,

Ian Boyne

Kingston 10