Colin Berry, the former newsreader and presenter for BBC Radio 2, has passed away at the age of 79.
Berry was a prominent figure on Radio 2 from the early 1970s until the early 1990s, where he hosted various programs, including early morning and late-night shows such as Night Ride and You and the Night and the Music.
He frequently filled in for daytime hosts, including the renowned Sir Terry Wogan, and served as a presenter on BBC Three Counties Radio from 2004 to 2019.
Additionally, he was well-known to Eurovision fans, having announced the UK jury’s results from 1978 to 2002.
In a tribute, Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, expressed her sorrow, stating, “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 began his broadcasting career in 1965 at the pirate station Radio Caroline, later moving to BBC Radio Medway (now known as Kent), HTV in Cardiff, and Radio 1 before ultimately joining Radio 2.
He became the station’s inaugural overnight host when it launched 24-hour broadcasts in 1979, presenting a program that featured a guide to local events and a cooking segment “for those of our listeners who get home late and feel like a snack”.
His television appearances included popular shows such as Top of The Pops, Blankety Blank, and Going Live.
