Annie Nightingale, BBC Radio 1’s first female presenter, has died at the age of 83
Pioneering DJ Annie Nightingale, who was the first female presenter to appear on BBC Radio 1, has died at the age of 83.
Nightingale, who first broadcast on Radio 1 in 1970, was considered to be a true trailblazer for female DJs and broadcasters. In a statement from her family, it was confirmed that Nightingale passed away at her London home 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.”
They added: “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 new tune they had 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.”
Rest in peace Annie Nightingale 💗🕯 pic.twitter.com/ybBZSx5bhQ
— simone marie (@simonemarie4) January 12, 2024
Annie Nightingale 🤍 what a legend, an ultimate privilege to say I shared the airwaves…. first woman on radio 1, and there til the end! Absolutely iconic! Rest easy Annie 🕊️
— Jess Iszatt (@jjiszatt) January 12, 2024
Dear Annie , you were more than just a trailblazer for women on radio, you made me feel like music broadcasting is for life. Rave in peace 💙
Annie Nightingale: Legendary Radio 1 DJ dies at 83 https://t.co/6x8lnMb63E— Trevor Nelson (@DJTrevorNelson) January 12, 2024
"Annie was a uniquely gifted broadcaster who blessed us with her love of music and passion for journalism, for over 50 years"
BBC Director-General Tim Davie pays tribute to Annie Nightingale
➡️ https://t.co/qSk4J4gnr9 pic.twitter.com/PYnzqRVx40— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) January 12, 2024
Her children – Alex, Lucy, Olie and Will – added that her life will be celebrated at a memorial in the spring.
Nightingale joined Radio 1 in 1970 and remained presenting on the network until her death.
Nightingale was BBC Radio 1’s longest-serving host, having joined the station back in 1970 and never left. She presented her final Annie Nightingale Presents…just last month and held the world record for having the longest career as a female radio presenter.
She was also in the inner circle of The Beatles’ and claimed to have been among the first people to know about John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s relationship.
Nightingale was the only female DJ at Radio 1 until Janice Long joined the network in 1982. “From day one, I chose the records I wanted to play, and stuck to it ever since,” she wrote in her 2020 memoir, Hey Hi Hello: Five Decades of Pop Culture From Britain’s First Female DJ.
“I wasn’t there for the ‘exposure’.” I preferred the evenings, where I wouldn’t have to introduce playlist tunes I didn’t like. That would have been like lying to me.”
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