'Trailblazing' former Radio 1 DJ Janice Long dies aged 66

Janice Long, the “trailblazing” BBC radio and television presenter, has died at the age of 66 after catching pneumonia.

The broadcaster, who was the first woman to regularly host Top of the Pops died at her home on Christmas Day, her agent announced yesterday, prompting a wave of tributes from across the world of entertainment.

A mainstay of the BBC’s flagship stations since the 1980s, she has been credited with helping to launch the careers of artists including Amy Winehouse, while also leading coverage of historic events such as Live Aid.

Sources told The Telegraph that Long had recently contracted pneumonia, which ultimately led to her death from multiple organ failure.

Her death is understood to have been sudden and came as a particular shock to her loved ones after her condition had appeared to improve.

Fellow BBC radio presenters Greg James and Adele Roberts, the presenter Carol Vorderman and Peter Hook, bassist of the bands Joy Division and New Order, were among those to pay tributes.

Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, said: "Janice Long was a stellar presenter, who was loved and respected across the industry, and her passing is a huge loss to music, broadcasting and the BBC.

"Over 40 years she blazed a trail across Radio 1, Top Of The Pops, Radio 2 and 6 Music to name just a few, before building a wonderful show and loyal following on BBC Radio Wales. She will be missed by her fans, listeners and colleagues.

"All our thoughts are with them, Janice's family and her friends."

Long grew up in Liverpool, the older sister of the late entertainer Keith Chegwin.

After working as cabin crew and in telesales, she started her broadcasting career as a station assistant at BBC Radio Merseyside in Liverpool in 1979.

Long soon became well known on a national level after joining Radio 1 in 1983, where she was the first woman to have her own daily show.

Across her 40-year career, she was an early supporter of bands and musicians who would go on to become giants of the music industry, including The Smiths, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Primal Scream, Adele, Amy Macdonald and Winehouse.

She was later awarded a BASCA gold badge of merit for her outstanding contribution to music - a forerunner of The Ivors Academy.

From 2017 until her death, she hosted the evening show on BBC Radio Wales.