Tributes have poured in for local radio 'legend' Dave Llewellyn, who has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness. The much-loved BBC Radio Tees DJ became a household name as the voice of traffic across the region for more than two decades.
A Life on Air
The presenter, instantly recognisable for his striking red hair, started his career as the 'eye in the sky' aboard a light aircraft above Teesside. Born and raised in Fishburn, County Durham, he subsequently settled in Yarm, North Yorkshire, alongside his wife Ange and their daughter, Amy.
Llewellyn had a deep-rooted love of music, both as a performer and a producer. As travel presenter, he would deliver 12 traffic bulletins an hour on radio stations across the north from the BBC's studio in Middlesbrough. He also co-presented a gardening show on Sunday mornings with Brigid Press.
Heartfelt Tributes
His heartbroken daughter Amy described her father as an 'incredibly modest and generous' man who always found time for 'friends and strangers alike'. She said: 'Outside of his work, he loved his family and his music. His true talent shone through while he was playing his keyboards, synthesisers and bass. He was the most loving father and husband, always going out of his way to make us happy. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him, especially our beloved dog Cupid, who always saw a taste of his generosity, usually in the form of a shared sausage sandwich.'
A familiar face on the local music circuit, the broadcaster had most recently taken on a producer role at BBC Radio Tees, a position he had held for the previous six years, working predominantly on Gary Philipson's daytime show.
Colleagues and Listeners Remember
His colleague, breakfast presenter Amy Oakden, paid a heartfelt tribute to Llewellyn during Friday's broadcast. She said the team would 'never ever forget his iconic voice', adding: 'I always remember Dave because he was just so kind and lovely. He was a legend.'
Producer Sarah Robinson, speaking through tears, also honoured her late friend and colleague. She said: 'What do I say about Dave? Worst taste in shirts I have ever seen, he wore terrible shirts, made bad coffee, the worst coffee I had ever tasted in my whole life, but Dave was relentlessly cheerful and positive and never came into the office without having a smile on his face.'
Heartbroken listeners also reached out to the programme in significant numbers to share their own tributes to Llewellyn, many expressing shock and sadness at the news, recalling the presenter as 'kind and friendly'. One wrote: 'I'll be thinking about him. Every time you rang in, he was great craic - what a lovely guy.'
Bloodrun EVS, a volunteer organisation responsible for transporting blood between hospitals, described Llewellyn as a 'comforting voice to many'. In a tribute, they said: 'Thank you for your service. RIP Dave, our condolences and thoughts are with Dave's family and colleagues at this difficult time.'
