BBC Radio 2 DJ Colin Berry dies aged 79
Former BBC Radio 2 DJ Colin Berry has died at the age of 79, the corporation has said.
Berry, who joined Radio 2 in 1973, presented long-running BBC music programme Top of the Pops, and appeared on game show Blankety Blank and on Going Live!.
He also spent 25 years reading out the UK's voting decision at the Eurovision Song Contest, until 2002.
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: 'All of us at Radio 2 were saddened to hear of the passing of Colin Berry, who was part of our on-air family for many years. We send our condolences to his family and friends.'
Berry started on former pirate radio station Radio Caroline before joining Radio 2.
He was a presenter of Night Ride, The Late Show, Music Through Midnight, The Early Show, Happy Hour and the Hogmanay Special, before Radio 2 announced he would be leaving in 2012.
Writing on X, Bauer Radio's Luke Davies said: 'Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Colin Berry. He was a real pioneer of broadcasting and had such a lovely relaxing voice.'
'A thrill' to work with Berry
Andrew Peach, another former Radio 2 presenter, said: 'I am very sad to hear news of Colin Berry's passing. I have strong memories of hearing Colin on [BBC Radio 2] as a child and it was a thrill to get to work with him there from 1998-2012.'
Berry worked often with Sir Terry Woganm the late Radio 2 DJ and BBC Eurovision presenter.
Following his exit from Eurovision, a rotating cast of famous faces including chat show host Lorraine Kelly and actress Dame Joanna Lumley have been the British voice behind the European song contest.
The Welwyn Garden City-born radio DJ also presented for BBC Three Counties and former BBC Radio Medway and did voice-over work.
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