A FORMER Malvern pupil who was the first House of Commons Speaker in the age of Parliamentary television, has died at the age 86.

Lord Weatherill, who went to Malvern College, enjoyed more TV exposure in this country than even Prime Ministers and other celebrated parliamentarians.

But the mildness, generosity and geniality of his nature belied a tough and fair Speaker, who made no secret of the fact that he was the banner-carrier for the backbencher in the House of Commons.

Bruce Bernard Weatherill was born on November 25, 1920 in Guildford, Surrey, and attended Malvern College. They failed to appoint him a prefect, but because of his size they made him "Senior Inferior" which, he once said, "meant I could do whatever I wanted."

He stayed in contact with the college throughout his life, sitting on the committee of the old pupils' society, The Malvernian Society, for 40 years and as its president from 1986-1993.

He was also on the board of governors from 1970-78.

Mike Egglington, secretary of the Malvernian Society, said: "He was very well-known in the old Malvernian circle and was a humble and kind character. He will be greatly missed."

Lord Weatherill came into politics via the family tailoring business and soldiering in India, where he served as a Bengal Lancer.

He was a high-class tailor by profession and carried round with him at all times a thimble to remind him constantly of his humble background.

Lord Weatherill was the last Speaker to wear the full-bottom wig - his two successors, Betty Boothroyd and Michael Martin, declined to wear it.

In 2005, he disclosed that he was suffering from prostate cancer. He died on Sunday and is survived by a widow, two sons and one daughter.