he held this post at the BBC until his retirement. Vernon Corea played a pivotal role in introducing and mentoring young, gifted and talented people into broadcasting. He trained minority ethnic broadcasters and found placements for them on the BBC Local Radio Network. His work contributed to the diversity of the BBC. Vernon Corea also lectured at the BBC Training Centre. Many of Corea's trainees are now presenters of mainstream radio programmes on BBC Radio. Among those who came to seek Vernon Corea's advice was the top BBC News Presenter, George Alagiah. Corea was also invited to Nepal, Bangladesh and the Maldives to train broadcasters and was introduced to the President of the Maldives on a visit to Male, the capital. Church Work Vernon Corea was a Christian, he was very involved in the work of the church in the UK – he was a Lay Reader of the Church of England at Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon in South-West London and previous to that appointment he was Lay Reader at Christ Church, Gipsy Hill in South-East London. Recalling his life, Reginald Massey noted in The Guardian: Corea was a born broadcaster and racy raconteur, prone to making outrageous remarks with a straight face. But behind his frivolous manner was a generous and large-hearted Christian, who was also a lay reader at Emmanuel church in Wimbledon village, in south-west London. ' Autism The struggles of parents, carers, children and adults with autism was something Corea cared deeply about, after his own grandson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He raised awareness of the condition. In 2002 he attended a historic service for autism held at St.Paul's Cathedral in London and wrote Prayers for Autism. These prayers are now being said on Autism Sunday commemorated annually, by churches and religious organisations across the world, on the second Sunday in February. He died of diabetes, in New Malden in London on 23 September 2002. Quotes on Vernon Corea 'Vernon was a pioneering influence in the BBC and helped to lay the foundation for the work we are continuing to do to make sure our staff and our programmes are truly representative of our nation's diverse population.' (Greg Dyke – Director-General BBC) ' His sense of loyalty to his management and to his profession and his compassion and concern for those who worked under him were exemplary.' (Neville Jayaweera – former Director-General SLBC) ' The