Beloved BBC radio presenter Dave Gray has died after battling a short illness.
The broadcaster who hosted several shows on BBC Radio Orkney was part of the station for more than 30 years. It is understood the journalist died after battling a “short illness” on Wednesday (February 21).
The station confirmed his passing and paid tribute to Dave in a heartfelt statement. It read: “Everyone at BBC Radio Orkney is grieving the sudden loss of our friend and colleague Dave Gray, who died on Wednesday following a short illness.
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“For three decades Dave was the heart and soul of BBC in Orkney and we will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with his family friends at the most difficult of times.
(Image: BBC)
“We will be sharing our tribute to Dave on Friday morning’s Around Orkney at 7.30am.” Following the announcement, listeners rushed to the comments section to share their favourite memories of him as they passed on their words of sympathy online.
One user penned: “A very rare guy indeed – you always left after a yarn better off than before you’d bumped into him – there’s not many folk like that around! I’m glad he got his camper finished and got that trip around Ireland in it.”
Another agreed: “I was only talking to him on Saturday. In shock. Tell those you love that you love them often. A nicer chap is hard to find.”
A third echoed: “This is just such sad, awful news. He will be missed enormously by the wider community and my thoughts are with his family and colleagues. Rest well, Buddo.” Dave last posted on his Facebook page at the beginning of February this year.
He wrote: “So strange to see this photo pop up this morning. Taken thirty years ago today in the Radio Orkney studio (where I’m actually back working now for a short spell). I’m 33, been married for eighteen months, working at W R Tullock’s and applying for a home improvement grant from the council to put a new roof on our house.
“So many changes, so many folk lost in that time, so many high points and of course some lows. Hen and Angus were my local broadcasting heroes and I was lucky enough to work with them for many years.”
(Image: BBC)
He went on: “I used to come on the radio right after them on a Friday night – (Ken) ‘Stay tuned because Dave Gray will be right along with his Heavy Metal music. (Angus) ‘Bairns – you need nerves of steel for that kind of stuff’.”
The presenter was well-known to his loyal Scottish listeners, and hosted a range of programmes for the stating including Around Orkney. He also spent time speaking to local Orkney singers, authors and residents throughout his career.
Dave returned to the airwaves back in January after he retired a few years ago. The presenter made an unexpected comeback to cover for Huw Williams, with many listeners sharing their delight at his return at the time.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
