Radio 2 legend dies aged 79 as BBC station pays heartfelt tribute

Radio 2 DJ Colin Berry has died aged 79.  

The presenter joined the station in 1973 and became a household name after covering for stars such as Sir Terry Wogan. 

He continued reading the news on Radio 2 as a freelancer until September 2012. 

The station announced his death on Thursday, saying: ‘He joined the station in 1973 and covered for presenters including Sir Terry Wogan and Sir Jimmy Young.

‘Colin Berry also had a 25-year stint as the UK’s Eurovision jury spokesperson including in 1997’.

Former colleagues and fans were also quick to pay tribute, praising the ‘pioneer of broadcasting’. 

Radio 2 DJ Colin Berry has died aged 79. The presenter joined the station in 1973

Posts on X/Twitter read: ‘Extremely sad to hear the passing of Colin Berry. He was a Real Pioneer of Broadcasting and had such a Lovely relaxing voice. He was also a true Gentleman and was very kind when I interviewed him in 2019. This is BBC London calling, Sleep Tight Colin.’;

‘I am very sad to hear news of Colin Berry’s passing. I have strong memories of hearing Colin on @bbcradio2 as a child and it was a thrill to get to work with him there from 1998-2012.’;

‘Very sad to hear that the broadcaster Colin Berry has passed away. He was such a warm radio host and the voice of a British wireless generation.’;

‘Sad to say a former colleague and fellow @bbcradio2 newsreader Colin Berry has died aged 79. He also spent 25 years as the UK’s Eurovision jury spokesman.’

Born in Hertfordshire, Colin first joined the radio world in 1965, newsreading and presenting sponsored programmes on ‘pirate’ station Radio Caroline. 

He first worked for the BBC in 1969, hosting a weekly programme for BBC Radio Medway.

He joined the station permanently four years later, working on Radio 2 and Radio 1.  

Colin also presented The Club for BBC Three Counties Radio.

As well as his radio appearances, he appeared on TV shows such as The Generation Game, Top Of The Pops, Blankety-Blank, Going Live and Celebrity Supermarket Sweep.

The radio presenter was among several big names who left the station in 2012 when the BBC were forced to make budget cuts. 

The broadcaster cut back on its radio staff as part of the Delivering Quality First initiative, which stated that most departments had to make savings of 20 per cent.