A file photo of CCTV broadcaster Luo Jing [CCTV.com]

Luo Jing, a household face in China for his outstanding broadcasting service as a prime time newscaster for China Central Television (CCTV), died on Friday morning. He was 48, according to CCTV.

Luo was diagnosed with lymphoma and went into hospital in September, 2008.

"Luo was a leading figure in broadcasting," according to the news bulletin posted on CCTV's website.

Luo was married in 1988 and has a 14-year-old son.

A colleague of Luo, who only identifies herself as Apple Li, said she felt it was a "loss" that Luo died at such a young age.

"He was absolutely one of the best anchormen in the country." she added.

Luo, a native of southwest Chongqing Municipality, joined CCTV's 7:00 p.m. news service after his graduation from the Communication University of China in 1983. The news service has been China's most popular news program for decades.

Luo was known for his mellow voice and a solemn style of broadcasting and won nationwide acclaim for his more than 20 years' service in the state media.

Thousands of netizens posted on online forums, expressing their condolences.

" I was looking forward to hearing his voice again. It's so sad to hear the new," a web user nicknamed "Jacky999" from southern Guangdong Province wrote in an online forum at Netease.com.

"Though he has passed away, I can still recall his voice and face." wrote "Xbing-007" from Shanghai in the same forum.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2009)