Former Andy Kershaw, the influential BBC Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter, has died at the age of 66, his family has confirmed. He passed away around 19:30 BST on Thursday, following a recent cancer diagnosis that had significantly impacted his health.
Kershaw was widely recognized for his groundbreaking work on BBC Radio 1, where he spent 15 years beginning in 1985. Known for his eclectic taste, he played a major role in introducing global and “world music” sounds to mainstream audiences, helping expand musical horizons for listeners across the UK.
Born in Rochdale in 1959, Kershaw began his career in broadcasting during the early 1980s at Radio Aire in Leeds. His big break came when he hosted The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1984, after being spotted while working with Billy Bragg. The following year, he became one of the presenters of Live Aid, the landmark global concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.
After leaving Radio 1 in 2000, Kershaw transitioned into journalism, reporting for BBC Radio 4 on both music and international conflicts, including coverage of the Rwandan Genocide and the civil war in Sierra Leone. He later continued his broadcasting work with BBC Radio 3 and launched projects that explored music from remote parts of the world.
Despite facing personal challenges, including legal issues that temporarily took him off air, Kershaw returned to broadcasting in 2011 with Music Planet, a series focused on global music exploration. He also authored an autobiography, No Off Switch, reflecting on his life and career.
In recent years, he remained active through podcasting and continued sharing his passion for music. Following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Kershaw maintained his characteristic humor and resilience.
His death marks the loss of a distinctive voice in British broadcasting—one who reshaped how audiences experienced music from around the world.
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