LOCAL BBC broadcasting legend, Gerry Kersey, has died at 86.
Kersey was a beloved presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield, with a career spanning five decades.
He sadly passed away on Friday morning after a long illness, with his wife Christine by his side.
Alongside a successful career at the BBC and independent radio, he enjoyed performing in theatre productions, and art.
He would share his paintings in exhibitions, and raised money for charity by selling Christmas cards featuring his work.
It featured natural landscapes of local areas displayed with the Hallam Art Group.
When his career first began in the 1970s, he was juggling radio work alongside working in advertising for Stanley Tools.
Struggling to balance the two, he ultimately decided to pursue a career in broadcasting.
He began at Radio Sheffield in 1968 reading stories before hosting his own show in the 1970s.
During a 2018 interview in the Sheffield Star, he said he was only earning £12 a week at the time.
He then moved over to Radio Hallam in 1980 where he hosted a weekday mid-morning show.
In 1997 he returned to the BBC as a presenter on the Sunday afternoon nostalgia programme.
However, he quickly developed a loyal fanbase across the BBC and independent radio station Radio Hallam.
Katrina Bunker, Head of BBC Yorkshire offered her condolences, saying: "Gerry was a true legend of local broadcasting, starting his career in 1968 as one of the first voices on BBC Radio Sheffield."
She went on to say that he was well-known for his request-based and nostalgia shows.
It led listeners to frequently send in letters, emails and calls until he retired in 2020.
She added: "Wherever you went around the area you would always meet someone who loved Gerry's show.
"He will be sadly missed by all who knew him."
Fans were quick to express their sorrow at the well-loved host's death.
Posting on X, one wrote: "So sad, one of those voices that you grew up with as a kid as if he was in the house with you. RIP."
While another said: "Served his city well, RIP Gerry."
Post a Comment