Brian Empringham has provided this note:

After a few weeks of illness, John Touhey died on Monday 15th September.  He was only 77, and became ill only a few months ago.   He was in hospital in Bath, but eventually moved to a nursing home in his home town, Wells in Somerset, for his final few days.   John had complete organ failure after all sorts of problems, and refused any sort of intensive care.   He chose to let nature take its course.    The funeral has not yet taken place, but is to be a very private affair for family only.

John was one of the finest newsreaders at Bush House, and known equally for his wicked sense of humour.   Somewhere there are still copies of the famous African Press Review that John tried to read with Murray Nicol.   The subject was the difference between elephant and lion dung, and John & Murray could hardly get through it for their helpless laughter.     The humour, though, was the only thing that dented John’s sense of professionalism.   Some would say it enhanced it!  

John was a very popular member of World Service staff.   I for one, will miss him.