A legendary US film critic who underwent life-saving cancer surgery has been given his voice back by a team of scientists from Edinburgh. Roger Ebert lost the ability to speak following a procedure almost four years ago. Since then, the 67-year-old has relied on hand written notes, a basic voice synthesiser and sign language to communicate.

However, now a team of researchers in the capital has used new computer technology to allow him to communicate in his own voice again and Mr Ebert showcased his new communications system in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. He said: "It still needs improvement, but at least it still sounds like me. In first grade, they said I talked too much. And now I still can."