BBC Radio 2 and Eurovision legend Colin Berry dies aged 79 as station issues statement
BBC Radio 2 legend Colin Berry has died at the age of 79, the station announced today.
The beloved DJ and presenter was a familiar voice to millions of listeners during his more than three decades at the BBC.
Berry joined Radio 2 in 1973 and became a household name in British broadcasting.
His death was confirmed by the station in a statement released this morning.
Very sad to hear that the broadcaster Colin Berry has passed away. He was such a warm radio host and the voice of a British wireless generation. #ColinBerry #RadioNews pic.twitter.com/e3ne6xveZe
— Tony Fisher (@TonyFisherLive) April 17, 2025
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The veteran broadcaster continued reading the news on Radio 2 as a freelancer until September 2012, marking nearly 40 years of service to the corporation.
Radio 2 announced: “He joined the station in 1973 and covered for presenters including Sir Terry Wogan and Sir Jimmy Young. Colin Berry also had a 25-year stint as the UK’s Eurovision jury spokesperson including in 1997.”
Berry was known for stepping in to cover programmes for some of the station’s biggest stars, becoming a reliable and popular stand-in presenter.
His role as the UK’s Eurovision jury spokesperson made him a familiar face to television viewers across Europe for a quarter of a century.
The position saw him delivering the coveted “douze points” and other UK voting results to millions of Eurovision fans during the contest’s annual broadcasts.
Berry had started his radio career on Radio Caroline in 1965, having previously performed administrative work at Granada Television and Westward Television.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the “wonderful” DJ following the announcement of his death.
BBC Radio 2 newsreader Clare Ruacres was among those paying respect to her former colleague.
Sad to say a former colleague and fellow @bbcradio2 newsreader Colin Berry has died aged 79. He also spent 25 years as the UK’s Eurovision jury spokesman.
— Clare Runacres (@ClareNews2) April 17, 2025
She wrote on X: “Sad to say a former colleague and fellow @bbcradio2 newsreader Colin Berry has died aged 79. He also spent 25 years as the UK’s Eurovision jury spokesman.”
Berry’s warm voice and professional delivery made him a respected figure in British broadcasting throughout his long career.