I worked with Louise on the first broadcast of Springwatch as her guarantee and it was the beginning of a working relationship I very much valued.

 We went on to do another three series of Springwatch together and then in 2008 our biggest joint venture, Big Cat Live in the Masai Mara which proved to be a very complex and difficult production.

Apart from the technical difficulties the local wildlife on that broadcast also presented a challenge and can remember returning to out tents in the dark after a long working day to find that a resourceful baboon had broken into Lou’s tent and comprehensively trashed everything inside. Typically the stoic response was “we’re in their space not the other way around – what do you expect”.

Lou always maintained an enthusiasm and drive to get the job done well, a work ethic I very much admired and especially when it came to holding the stepladders of experience for new recruits in Sound adopting a nurturing approach which engendered confidence.

I shall always look at the time spent on productions with Lou as some of the best in my broadcast career.

I am deeply saddened by the news of her passing and can still hardly believe it and send my deepest condolences to her family.