On the Radio: John Peel RIP

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | TV and Radio | Legendary radio DJ John Peel dies

This was the sad news I became aware of when turning on to the late Mr Ravenscroft's second radio home this evening at 6.30 for the last episode of the current series of Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy- the product of another great radio talent who died too young. John Peel- as everyone knew him even if both the name and the accent belied his public school upbringing- was one of Radio's best, and the airwaves will be the poorer without him. I can't pretend that I was ever one of the camp followers for his Radio One shows, and even Home Truths was only an occasional listen for me. Nevertheless, there was a humour and a compassion in his personality which few in modern radio can match with their off the peg "personas". Peel brought a touch of the Python to the nuances of everyday life and I know his team - including a producer I used to work with at Radio Sussex- will be devastated by his passing.
And never mind radio, what will the voice-over industry do without perhaps the most famous Liverpudlian voice on the air after the Beatles? Peel's was the much-used narration for many a TV show- including the peculiarly appealing earlier series of A Life of Grime- as well as countless ads. He will be mourned indeed for a long time to come, and with his too early and tragic death Radio One loses a piece of its heritage. God Bless you, John and may your comforting voice now be heard in the heavenlies.