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Andy Kershaw, the former BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter known for his dedication to world music, has passed away at the age of 66, his family has confirmed. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Kershaw had been diagnosed with cancer and was no longer able to walk. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned several decades in broadcasting.
Kershaw’s connection with Radio 1 began in 1985, where he became a familiar voice over 15 years. His unique and eclectic music taste earned him a reputation as a champion of global sounds. In addition to hosting a late-night show, he also contributed to Radio 4, reporting on international conflicts such as the 1994 Rwanda Genocide and the civil war in Sierra Leone in 2001. Beyond Radio 1, he worked on Radio 3 and continued to explore music from challenging regions like Iraq, Iran, and North Korea.
Born in Rochdale in 1959, Kershaw started his broadcasting journey at Radio Aire in Leeds before gaining wider recognition. In 1985, he was part of the BBC’s television coverage team for the star-studded Live Aid concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. His sister, Liz Kershaw, was also a BBC Radio 1 presenter during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Though his Radio 1 show ended in 2000 during a schedule reshuffle, Kershaw continued engaging audiences through reporting and music series, including a BBC One tie-in called Music Planet in 2011 alongside co-presenter Lucy Duran.
Throughout his career, Kershaw faced challenges, including publicized personal difficulties that led to legal troubles. Despite these setbacks, he made a return to radio and later embraced the podcast format, continuing to share his passion for music and storytelling. Reflecting on his approach to broadcasting, he once said, “We’re not here to give the public what it wants. We’re here to give the public what it didn’t know it wanted.” Even in the face of his cancer diagnosis, Kershaw maintained his distinctive humor, joking about outliving several notable public figures, a testament to his resilient spirit and character
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