Andy Kershaw: Former Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter dies aged 66
The broadcaster was known for his eclectic taste and for helping champion world music on BBC Radio 1.
www.bbc.comQuick answer: Andy Kershaw, the former BBC Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter, has died in April 2026 after a cancer battle.
Details and context
- Reports from multiple outlets confirm his passing at age 66, with his family and friends publicly sharing the news in mid-April 2026. These articles note that he was diagnosed with cancer in 2025, which severely affected his mobility, including an inability to walk, and that he underwent treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.[1][2][3][6]
- Kershaw is best known for co-presenting Live Aid coverage in 1985 and for a long-running stint on BBC Radio 1, where he championed world music and eclectic genres.[5][8]
- Tributes highlighted his enduring optimism and perseverance despite his illness, with friends providing updates on his health struggles since his diagnosis last August 2025.[6][1]
If you’d like, I can pull a short timeline of confirmed dates and notable tributes from these sources, or synthesize a quick obituary-style summary suitable for sharing. I can also provide a list of notable moments from Kershaw’s career. Just tell me your preferred format.