Colin Berry dead: BBC Radio 2 legend dies as tributes pour in for 'wonderful' DJ

A beloved DJ has died as tributes have poured in for the DJ, who worked at the 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.

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"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. Berry decided to go freelance in 2006 but continued working with BBC Radio 2.

He read the news all the way until September 2012, when huge changes were made at the station. The majority of Radio 2 news summaries were then read by journalists.

Berry's last bulletin came at 3am on September 8. Despite his time on BBC Radio 2 coming to an end, Berry continued to work in radio. He presented a weekly show for BBC Local Radio across the Eastern Counties called The Saturday Club.

Berry opted to play music from the 1960s and 1970s and also held spots for BBC Three Counties Radio. He worked until 2019, where he would often work on shows around bank holidays.

Tributes have poured in for the radio star as Bauer Radio's Luke Davies said: "Extremely sad to hear the passing of Colin Berry. He was a Real Pioneer of Broadcasting and had such a Lovely relaxing voice.

"He was also a true Gentleman and was very kind when I interviewed him in 2019. This is BBC London calling, Sleep Tight Colin." Radio host Tony Fisher added: "Very sad to hear that the broadcaster Colin Berry has passed away.

"He was such a warm radio host and the voice of a British wireless generation." Broadcaster Andrew Peach commented: "I am very sad to hear news of Colin Berry’s passing. I have strong memories of hearing Colin on @bbcradio2 as a child and it was a thrill to get to work with him there from 1998-2012."

DJ Jon Kutner wrote: "So sad to learn of the loss of my friend and colleague and former Radio 2 newsreader and voice of Eurovision Colin Berry. We always had some great conversations when we managed to catch up. My thoughts are with his family. Farewell my friend. RIP."

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