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Ex-BBC DJ Greening dies aged 44 | Ex-BBC DJ Greening dies aged 44 |
(40 minutes later) | |
Former BBC Radio 1 breakfast DJ Kevin Greening has died at the age of 44, his agent has confirmed. | Former BBC Radio 1 breakfast DJ Kevin Greening has died at the age of 44, his agent has confirmed. |
"He died peacefully in his sleep last night," Chris North said, adding no further information was available. | |
Greening, a veteran of many stations, was paired with Zoe Ball on Radio 1's flagship show from 1997 to 1998 and was most recently working at Smooth Radio. | |
BBC Radio 5 Live's Simon Mayo, a former Radio 1 presenter, said Greening was a "fantastically bright" individual. | |
I enjoyed Kevin's unassuming manner, generous nature and warm, wry, friendly outlook on life Nick WallisBBC Radio 5 | I enjoyed Kevin's unassuming manner, generous nature and warm, wry, friendly outlook on life Nick WallisBBC Radio 5 |
He said Greening had "a great brain and a very dry sense of humour". | |
"He was quite shy - sometimes a bit embarrassed about achieving the level of fame he had," he said. | |
"The work that he put in to his programmes was fantastic. He was very meticulous. He was just a fantastic example and naturally gifted." | |
Radio 5 Live broadcaster Nick Wallis said he had spent most of the 1990s listening to Greening and had been "thrilled" to work with him at the radio industry's annual Sony Awards. | |
"His job was akin to that of Terry Wogan's at Eurovision - commentating on the madness unfolding beneath him with wit and charm," Mr Wallis said. | |
'Very high regard' | |
"Kevin read and ad-libbed his way through a four-hour broadcast with immense professionalism, and it was a delight to see him at work." | "Kevin read and ad-libbed his way through a four-hour broadcast with immense professionalism, and it was a delight to see him at work." |
HAVE YOUR SAY Kevin. God bless you. You brought many wonderful songs and memories to all who listened to your shows Max, Birmingham class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/7165393.stm">Send us your comments Greening was held in very high regard by the entire industry, Mr Wallis added. | |
"I enjoyed Kevin's unassuming manner, generous nature and warm, wry, friendly outlook on life. I'm shocked he's not going to be here any more." | "I enjoyed Kevin's unassuming manner, generous nature and warm, wry, friendly outlook on life. I'm shocked he's not going to be here any more." |
The DJ wrote in his biography on the website of London-based Smooth Radio, where he presented the afternoon show, that his broadcasting career began "when I was briefly a tape editor for door-stepping reporter Roger Cook". | |
"He hated me," Greening stated. | "He hated me," Greening stated. |
The presenter was part of the launch line-up of Virgin Radio in 1993. | The presenter was part of the launch line-up of Virgin Radio in 1993. |
Kevin was a wonderful and diverse broadcaster Smooth Radio | Kevin was a wonderful and diverse broadcaster Smooth Radio |
Within a year, however, he had transferred to Radio 1, where he hosted a number of weekend shows, and was a regular stand-in on daytime slots. | |
He brought a tongue-in-cheek style to the station, and introduced comedy sketches to his programmes through a series of fictional characters, including a hapless DJ called Raymond Sinclair, and "jingles" which had been re-recorded. | He brought a tongue-in-cheek style to the station, and introduced comedy sketches to his programmes through a series of fictional characters, including a hapless DJ called Raymond Sinclair, and "jingles" which had been re-recorded. |
He and Ball teamed up on the prestigious Radio 1 breakfast show as replacements for Mark Radcliffe and his sidekick, Lard. | He and Ball teamed up on the prestigious Radio 1 breakfast show as replacements for Mark Radcliffe and his sidekick, Lard. |
Ratings success | Ratings success |
The BBC heralded their introduction with a great fanfare and they were even cover stars on Radio Times magazine to coincide with their first week on air. | |
They added 230,000 listeners to the audience of Radcliffe and Lard, according to figures quoted in the BBC's annual report in 1998. | They added 230,000 listeners to the audience of Radcliffe and Lard, according to figures quoted in the BBC's annual report in 1998. |
But Greening's stint lasted for only a year, and he returned to a weekend slot while Ball continued as the breakfast show's solo host until 2000. | But Greening's stint lasted for only a year, and he returned to a weekend slot while Ball continued as the breakfast show's solo host until 2000. |
After leaving Radio 1, Greening was heard on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC World Service. | After leaving Radio 1, Greening was heard on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC World Service. |
He also appeared on London stations including Jazz FM and Heart 106.2, before taking on the mid-morning show at indie broadcasters XFM. | He also appeared on London stations including Jazz FM and Heart 106.2, before taking on the mid-morning show at indie broadcasters XFM. |
"Kevin was a wonderful and diverse broadcaster," said a spokesperson for Smooth Radio, where Greening had worked since March. | "Kevin was a wonderful and diverse broadcaster," said a spokesperson for Smooth Radio, where Greening had worked since March. |
"His death has come as a terrible shock, and he will be sadly missed by all at Smooth Radio. | "His death has come as a terrible shock, and he will be sadly missed by all at Smooth Radio. |
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this terribly sad time." | "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this terribly sad time." |
A spokesman for Radio 1 added: "We're very saddened to hear of the death of Kevin and our thoughts are with his family and friends." | |
What are your memories of Kevin Greening? Tell us your thoughts. | What are your memories of Kevin Greening? Tell us your thoughts. |