This is the text of an email from Sandy Bremner, Managing Editor of BBC Scotland for the North East and Northern Isles:


I'm sorry to have to tell you that Jim Patchett died this morning, after a long illness. Our thoughts are with his wife Jean and their family.

Most of us will know Jim as the Aberdeen news cameraman from 1985 until his retirement. He joined the BBC in 1978, working first in Glasgow, before an attachment to London. Jim will be sorely missed as a friend, and a colleague who brought incredible enthusiasm and energy to everything he did.

Arrangements are being made for a funeral service next week in Aberdeen. The details will be announced later.

Sandy