BBC radio legend dies after incredible two-decade career as devastated colleagues pay tribute

Daily Mail​

20-07-2025

BBC radio legend Charlie Partridge has died, sparking an out pour of condolences from fans and colleagues.
The broadcaster ran BBC Radio Lincolnshire for over 20 years and has been praised for his incredible work.
Tributes flooded in for the radio veteran including his former BBC News Foreign Correspondent and colleague Jonathan Charles sharing a heartfelt message on X.
He said: 'I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Charlie Partridge.
'More than 45 years ago, he taught me a lot about broadcasting at BBC Nottingham.
'He was a great guy and we stayed in touch, occasionally swapping messages in the years since.
'Sometimes discussing Springsteen. My thoughts are with his family.'
Another responded: 'Sad to hear Jonathan, John. Charlie was a lovely man, who believed in truly local radio.
'He was also very kind and supportive. Thoughts with his family.'
John Hess also shared a message for the late broadcaster, writing: 'As others have posted online, I'm deeply saddened to have learnt yesterday of the death of Charlie Partridge.'
John Gelson wrote on Facebook: 'I'm sharing Lip Dub Lincoln again tonight in tribute to the man who was the creative genius behind it, former BBC Radio Lincolnshire Editor Charlie Partridge, who has sadly passed away.
'When I returned to the BBC as a freelance journalist at BBC Radio York in 2016, Charlie was acting Editor there- we got on well from my first day, as we swapped tales of local radio over the years.
'Thoughts are with Charlie's family and many friends in broadcasting. RIP.'
It comes after last month radio presenter Simon Marlow, who had worked for the British Forces Broadcasting Service since 2007, sadly died in London on June 27.
The presenter, who made his first break on radio as a freelance voice in 1987, had several stints at UK stations like Radio City, 2-TEN, Chiltern Radio and Classic FM.
Tributes flooded in for the radio veteran including his former BBC News Foreign Correspondent and colleague Jonathan Charles sharing a heartfelt message on X
He later became a familiar star at BFBS both on the radio and helping behind the scenes with production.
During his time with BFBS, Simon was posted across the globe including Afghanistan, Cyprus, Brunei, Germany, the Falklands and Northern Ireland.
Known for his deep love of music and his passion for bringing the armed forces community together, Simon's voice was a constant companion to troops stationed around the world.
He was described as a 'force of nature' by colleagues.
During the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, Simon was based in Gibraltar and shortly after planned to retire just across the border in Spain.
The broadcaster was most recently based in Northern Ireland working as a station manager for BFBS.
Tributes have poured in for the star including from BFBS CEO, Ben Chapman who described Simon has 'making a difference'.
He said: 'Wherever Simon was, whoever he was with, there was always laughter. He made a difference.'
The BFBS official X account also shared the news, writing: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our much-loved colleague, Simon Marlow.
Simon worked for BFBS worldwide as a radio presenter and producer, most recently as Station Manager at BFBS Northern Ireland.'