FORMER BBC Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw has died at 66 after a tough battle with cancer.
His family confirmed he passed away on Thursday evening, ending a fight that began with a diagnosis last August when tumours were found on his spine.
Despite his illness leaving him unable to walk, Andy remained in good spirits, even joking about his determination to outlive some famous figures.
“I am determined not to die before Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Ant and Dec. That should keep me going for a while,” he said.
Close friend Peter Everett revealed Andy had undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, and countless scans, battling serious health struggles throughout.
Andy’s career spanned nearly three decades at the BBC, where he became a beloved figure for his eclectic music taste and groundbreaking world music shows.
He started in 1984 on the Old Grey Whistle Test before moving to Radio 1, succeeding the late John Peel and hosting shows until 2000.
He was also known for his fearless journalism, reporting from conflict zones like Rwanda and Sierra Leone, and producing rare broadcasts from North Korea.
His work earned multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards, cementing his legacy as a pioneer who brought global sounds to mainstream UK radio.
Andy left Radio 3 in 2007 but remained a respected voice in broadcasting until his health declined.
His passing marks the end of an era for British radio’s adventurous spirit.
