Astonishing sum former BBC Radio 2 presenter Colin Berry left to his wife after his death last month aged 79
Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Colin Berry left his wife £260,000 after he died aged 79 last month.
Berry, who first broke into broadcasting with pirate station Radio Caroline, went on to become a household name on BBC Radio 2.
He continued reading the news on Radio 2 as a freelancer until September 2012 - becoming the station's longest-serving newsreader.
In a will made in 2015, Berry have his entire estate to his trustees - his wife Sandra, or, had she not survived him, his daughter Marina and son Jonathan.
Berry, who lived in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, directed that his fortune should be handed to his sister-in-law Valerie, if all three had not survived him.
Born in Hertfordshire, Berry first joined the radio world in 1965, newsreading and presenting sponsored programmes on 'pirate' station Radio Caroline.
He first worked for the BBC in 1969, hosting a weekly programme for BBC Radio Medway.
He joined the station permanently four years later, working on Radio 2 and Radio 1.
Berry also presented The Club for BBC Three Counties Radio.
As well as his radio appearances, he appeared on TV shows such as The Generation Game, Top Of The Pops, Blankety-Blank, Going Live and Celebrity Supermarket Sweep.
Berry was last heard on the air in 2017 when he covered for Richard Spendlove's long-running music and phone-in show on BBC local radio.
The radio presenter was among several big names who left the station in 2012 when the BBC were forced to make budget cuts.
The broadcaster cut back on its radio staff as part of the Delivering Quality First initiative, which stated that most departments had to make savings of 20 per cent.
The station announced his death on Thursday, saying: '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.'
Former colleagues and fans were quick to pay tribute, praising the 'pioneer of broadcasting' and sharing their fond memories of the star
Former colleagues and fans were quick to pay tribute, praising the 'pioneer of broadcasting'.
Posts on X/Twitter read: '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.';
'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.';
'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.';
'Sad to say a former colleague and fellow @bbcradio2 newsreader Colin Berry has died aged 79. He also spent 25 years as the UK's Eurovision jury spokesman.'
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