´óÏó´«Ã½

Since hearing about Ian Hill's sudden death yesterday, I've been remembering the man I first met backÌýin the early 1990's. I was just starting out in radio and I was makingÌýaÌýshortÌýfeatureÌýfor the then ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster arts programme "All Arts and Parts" whichÌýIan presented. Derry's IMPACT 92 festival was on andÌýhe and his producer Chris SpurrÌýhad come down to Radio Foyle to do theÌýshow.ÌýI can't even rememberÌýthe actualÌýfeature I worked on,Ìýbut I do remember Ian.

Over the years and all the subsequent incarnations of the arts programme,ÌýIan remained a cultural champion of local arts and a friend and colleague on Radio Ulster.Ìý

He was also a unique voice.

Northern Ireland is a small place and the arts community here is even smaller. Unlike the metropolitan critics of the London or New York broadsheets whoÌýhave a certain anonymity, IanÌýwas well known.ÌýBut this never fazed him. You knew when you asked him on "Arts Extra" toÌýreview aÌýplay or an art exhibition, Ìýhe would shoot from the hip.ÌýÌýAnd that's no easy thing to do here, especially if the review isn't too favourable and he was more than likely to bump into the artist or director on the street or in the local Tescos.Ìý

That's why you knew when you heard his opinion on something you were getting the truth. He was aÌýtrue critical voice, fearless about putting his head above the parapet because he loved and believed in what he saw.Ìý

On behalf of everyone who has worked with IanÌýon the arts programmes on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster over the years we send our condolences to his wife and family. He will be missed.