Who Is Annie Nightingale Son?: Annie Nightingale: Radio 1’s first female DJ and champion of new music has died, aged 83
Annie Nightingale died at 83 on Thursday, January 11, 2024, after a short illness, her family has announced.
The family’s statement read: “Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness. Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remained undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.”
It continued: “Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of young women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.
“Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test, or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll”
“A celebration of her life will take place in the Spring at a Memorial Service. The family request privacy at this time. Alex, Lucy, Ollie and Will”
Who Is Annie Nightingale Son?
Annie Nightingale is survived by 2 children; Alex Nightingale and Lucy Wilkes. The late broadcaster shares both children with his first husband, Gordon Thomas, a writer. The date of birth, age, and occupation of her two kids are unknown at this time since they live away from the spotlight.
Nightingale first broadcast on the BBC in 1963 as a panelist on Juke Box Jury, before joining Radio 1 seven years later.
She started presenting on Radio 1 in 1970 and became its longest-serving broadcaster, hosting her show Annie Nightingale Presents… until late last year.
As a DJ she has traveled the world, and once said she had been “mugged in Cuba, drugged in Baghdad, and bugged in Russia”.
Nightingale was the first woman to present the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test music show which aired on BBC Two, and she wrote two autobiographical books.
She was awarded an MBE in 2002 and a CBE in 2020. In 2004, she became the first female DJ from Radio 1 to be inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame.
In a tribute, BBC Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard, host of Radio 1’s Dance Party, described Annie Nightingale as an “all time radio great”..
“Very sad to hear the news of Annie Nightingale passing,” he posted on X. “An all time radio great and an inspiration to many! I was in awe of her knowledge and passion for music, the way she talked about it and the stories she had! Such a kind soul and will be missed. Thank you Annie R.I.P.”
The BBC’s director-general, Tim Davie, said Nightingale was a “uniquely gifted broadcaster” and hailed her as a “champion for female broadcasters” as he paid tribute, while the head of BBC Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones, said: “All of us at Radio 1 are devastated to lose Annie, our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Source: Ghgossip.com
