BBC Radio 2 presenter Colin Berry has died aged 79 as tributes pour in for the much loved radio star who worked for the BBC for over 30 years
A beloved BBC Radio 2 DJ has died as tributes have poured in for the DJ, who worked at the BBC for more than 30 years. Colin Berry’s death at the age of 79 was announced by BBC Radio 2 today.
Radio 2 announced the sad news as they said: “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.”
Berry’s former colleague and BBC Radio 2 newsreader Clare Ruacres was among those who have paid tribute. She wrote on X: “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.” Berry had joined the corporation in 1973 and continued reading the news on the station as a freelancer until September 2012.
He had started his radio career on Radio Caroline in 1965, having performed admin work at Granada Television and Westward Television.
Berry went on to work at the then-newly opened Yorkshire Television while also working as a club DJ. He moved on to record promotion and became the BBC Radio Medway Saturday afternoon presenter.
During the summer of 1971, he worked as an announcer for HTV. Berry wrote and presented programme trials for BBC Radio 1 before moving over to BBC Radio 2 as an announcer and presenter in 1973.
Throughout his 33 years at the station, he presented many shows including Night Ride, The Late Show, Music Through Midnight, European Pop Jury, Band Parade, The Early Show and You & The Night & The Music.
He also stepped in for many of the main daytime presenters including Terry Wogan, Jimmy Young and David Hamilton. Berry’s connection with Eurovision saw him become the UK spokesperson as he read out the country’s voting results.
He held the role between 1977 and 2002. Berry was given the role of stand-by television commentator if Terry Wogan’s line was lost, which never happened.
The radio star also dabbled in TV as he appeared on shows including The Generation Game, Blankety Blank and Bargain Hunt.
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