A Legacy of Music and Journalism
Andy Kershaw, a former BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter of Live Aid, has passed away at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news on Friday afternoon, stating that he passed away on Thursday evening. The broadcaster had been diagnosed with cancer in January and was unable to walk due to tumours found in his spine last August.
Despite his illness, Andy remained optimistic and even joked about outliving some of the world’s most prominent figures. He said, “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.”
His sister Liz Kershaw, also a well-known broadcaster, shared heartfelt tributes following his death. She wrote on X: “Thank you for all your messages of affection for Our Andrew and kindness today. I’ve lost my best friend.” Other colleagues and friends, including Dawn Neesom and Jon Gaunt, expressed their condolences.
The rock band The Stranglers paid tribute to Andy on Instagram, saying, “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.” Sprinter and Strictly Come Dancing star Iwan Thomas added, “So sad what a wonderful man.”
A Career Spanning Decades
Andy spent almost three decades working for the BBC, starting as the host of the rock music show Old Grey Whistle Test in 1984. He later co-presented the television coverage of Live Aid and became known for his eclectic taste in music, often featuring non-mainstream sounds on his weekly programme.
He also covered conflicts and cultural stories around the world for the BBC, contributing to shows like From Our Own Correspondent, the Today programme, and The World Tonight. His coverage included the 1994 Rwandan genocide and reporting from Sierra Leone during its civil war. Andy also documented radio diaries from North Korea, which were among the first programmes recorded inside the country.
Personal Life and Challenges
In 2001, Andy joined BBC Radio 3 but left the post in 2007 after facing personal problems following the breakdown of his long-term relationship with restaurateur Juliette Banner. They had two children, Sonny and Dolly, but the couple split on their first day in the Isle of Man in 2006 when she discovered his infidelity.
Andy’s autobiography, No Off Switch (2011), detailed his struggles with fidelity and relationships. He referred to himself as a “selfish d***head” and admitted to treating his past girlfriends disgracefully. Juliette took out a restraining order on him after he refused to accept the end of their relationship, leading to multiple arrests and prison sentences.
A New Beginning
Despite these challenges, Andy’s time in prison led to a new relationship with Catherine Turner, a financial expert. They had previously met and interviewed each other 17 years earlier, and after his release, Catherine suggested he call her, sparking their romantic relationship.
Family Background
Andy was born in Lancashire on November 9, 1959. His parents, Jack and Eileen Kershaw, were a headmaster and headmistress. His older sister, Liz, is one of the longest-serving female national radio DJs in the UK, having worked in radio for over 30 years.
In 2022, Liz claimed the BBC had “done her a favour” after she accused them of sacking her for being over 60. Her departure from BBC Radio 6 Music reignited discussions about the corporation’s treatment of older women. While the BBC denied claims of sexism and ageism, Liz stood by her allegations, highlighting the lack of women in their sixties, seventies, and eighties on pop stations.
