On Friday evening, The One Show presenter Alex Jones delivered a poignant and heartfelt on-air tribute to celebrated DJ Andy Kershaw, following the announcement of his death at age 66. The former Radio 1 broadcaster and Live Aid presenter passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, as confirmed earlier in the day by his family.
Emotional Farewell on National Television
Closing the BBC programme, Alex Jones took a dedicated moment to honour her fellow broadcaster, stating: 'Before we go, we wanted to take a moment to mention today’s sad news that DJ Andy Kershaw has died. He was best known for Radio 1 and Live Aid, and also presented a number of films for The One Show in the past.' She concluded with sincere condolences: 'Our thoughts, of course, go out to his family and friends.'
Health Struggles and Public Announcements
It had been publicly announced in January that the veteran broadcaster had been diagnosed with cancer, which left him unable to walk. Andy Kershaw revealed that doctors discovered tumours in his spine last August, but maintained a positive outlook, insisting: 'I am in good spirits, feeling very positive and planning another podcast. 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.'
Heartfelt Tributes from Family and Colleagues
Andy's sister, Liz Kershaw, herself a prominent figure in broadcasting, led the emotional tributes following his passing. She expressed her grief on social media, writing: 'Thank you for all your messages of affection for Our Andrew and kindness today. I’ve lost my best friend.'
Broadcaster Dawn Neesom offered condolences: 'So sorry Liz. Thoughts with you xx', while former Talksport host Jon Gaunt added: 'Thoughts are with you Liz. Stay strong love Jon.'
Rock band The Stranglers shared on Instagram: 'We're so sorry to hear of the passing of our dear old friend Andy Kershaw. We shared many times together over the years, and his enthusiasm for whatever he was involved in, his intelligence, and extremely sharp wit, were truly infectious. It was always a pleasure to be in his company. There was never a dull moment. Our thoughts are with his family. R.I.P mate...'
Sprinter and former Strictly Come Dancing star Iwan Thomas posted: 'So sad what a wonderful man.'
Detailed Health Challenges and Treatment
His close friend, Peter Everett, provided insight into the radio star's serious health struggles since the diagnosis. He explained: 'My friend Andy has been going through a difficult time. Last August he was diagnosed with cancer, mainly affecting his spine and making him unable to walk. Since then he has been undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and a lot of scans and painkillers.'
Everett added: 'Although we’ve not been able to put together any podcasts in the last six months, we are very grateful to all the patrons and supporters who have stuck with us.'
Illustrious Broadcasting Career
Andy Kershaw spent nearly three decades working for the BBC, establishing himself as a distinctive voice in British radio. He was best known for his Radio 1 show, which ran from 1985 to 2000, where he succeeded the late John Peel and became renowned for his eclectic musical taste, frequently featuring non-mainstream sounds on his weekly programme.
Early Career and Major Contributions
He began his career at the corporation in 1984 as host of the rock music show Old Grey Whistle Test, and later co-presented the BBC's television coverage of the historic Live Aid concert. Beyond music, Andy travelled extensively across the globe to cover conflicts and cultural stories for the BBC, contributing to Radio 4 programmes including From Our Own Correspondent, the Today programme and The World Tonight.
His significant journalistic coverage included reporting on the 1994 Rwandan genocide and from Sierra Leone in 2001 during the final stages of its civil war. He also documented radio diaries from North Korea, which the BBC noted were among the first programmes ever recorded inside the country.
Awards and Recognition
The Rochdale-born broadcaster received multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards throughout his career, celebrated particularly for bringing world music and specialised genres to mainstream radio audiences. He joined BBC Radio 3 in 2001 but left the post in 2007.
Personal Life and Challenges
Andy Kershaw faced a series of personal difficulties after his long-term relationship ended, which led to legal issues. He had a 17-year relationship with restaurateur Juliette Banner, with whom he shared two children, Sonny and Dolly. The couple moved to the Isle of Man but separated on their first day there in 2006 when she discovered his infidelity with another journalist.
Relationship Breakdown and Legal Consequences
Reports indicated: 'The dream turned sour on their first day, when she borrowed his mobile and discovered on it a message from a woman with whom he'd had a one-night stand at the Womad festival.' In his 2011 autobiography, No Off Switch, Andy wrote that the encounter was of such little significance, he hadn't even bothered to delete the message, referring to himself as a 'selfish d***head' and acknowledging his inability to maintain fidelity.
Juliette Banner obtained a year-long restraining order against Andy after he refused to accept the relationship breakdown. He was imprisoned three times and arrested on numerous occasions for violating the restraining order's terms. In 2012, he told a judge he had 'lost everything' after persistently contacting Juliette following their split, stating: 'I have lost my kids. I have lost the woman I love. I have lost everything. It is a very difficult time for me. I just want peace and quiet.'
Later Relationship and Recovery
However, his time in prison led to a renewed relationship with financial expert Catherine Turner, whom he had originally met and interviewed 17 years earlier. After his release, Catherine suggested he contact her to talk, sparking a romantic relationship that provided stability in his later years.
The broadcasting community and fans worldwide remember Andy Kershaw not only for his professional achievements and distinctive voice but also for his complex personal journey, marked by both triumph and adversity.
