BBC radio DJ Andy Kershaw dies aged 66
TL;DR
Andy Kershaw, the former BBC Radio 1 DJ, has died at 66, as confirmed by his family. He was known for his 15-year tenure on Radio 1 and his eclectic music taste.
Key points
- Andy Kershaw died at the age of 66
- He presented BBC Radio 1 for almost 15 years
- Kershaw was known for his eclectic music taste
- He started at the BBC in 1984
- He co-presented the television coverage of Live Aid
Mentioned in this story
The broadcaster Andy Kershaw, who presented BBC Radio 1 for almost 15 years, has died at the age of 66, his family have told the BBC.
The DJ spent almost three decades working for the corporation, and was best known for his Radio 1 show, which ran from 1985 to 2000.
It was reported in January that Kershaw was undergoing cancer treatment after tumours, which were severely limiting his mobility, were discovered in his spine last August.
Kershaw started his career at the BBC in 1984 as the host of its rock music show Old Grey Whistle Test, and later co-presented the corporation’s television coverage of Live Aid.
The DJ joined Radio 1 and became known for his eclectic taste in music, often featuring non-mainstream sounds on his weekly programme.
Kershaw travelled around the world to cover conflicts and cultural stories for the BBC, contributing to Radio 4 shows including From Our Own Correspondent, the Today programme and The World Tonight.
His coverage included the 1994 Rwanda genocide, and reporting from Sierra Leone in 2001 during the final stages of its civil war.
Kershaw also documented radio diaries from North Korea which, according to the BBC, were among the first programmes to be recorded inside the country.
The Rochdale-born broadcaster received multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards throughout his career, and was celebrated for bringing world music and specialised genres to mainstream radio.
The veteran DJ joined BBC Radio 3 in 2001 but left the post in 2007, having faced a series of personal problems after his long-term relationship broke down and he was jailed for breaking a restraining order.
Kershaw was in a 17-year relationship with Juliette Banner, and the pair had two children together. The couple lived on the Isle of Man before eventually separating.
He returned to the BBC in 2010 to host its Music Planet programme alongside Lucy Duran, and again in 2020 for a brief stint on Radio 3 presenting The Kershaw Tapes.
Kershaw continued his career as a broadcaster in recent years, having launched his own podcast which featured guests such as Robyn Hitchcock, The Burner Band and Martin Carthy.
His sister Liz is one of the longest serving female national radio DJs in the UK, having been at the BBC for more than 30 years.
Q&A
What was Andy Kershaw known for during his broadcasting career?
Andy Kershaw was known for his 15-year tenure on BBC Radio 1 and his eclectic taste in music, often featuring non-mainstream sounds.
When did Andy Kershaw start his career at the BBC?
Andy Kershaw started his career at the BBC in 1984 as the host of the rock music show Old Grey Whistle Test.
What health issues did Andy Kershaw face before his death?
Before his death, Andy Kershaw was undergoing cancer treatment for tumors discovered in his spine, which severely limited his mobility.
