BBC local broadcasting 'legend' dies
The 86-year-old, who worked for both the BBC and independent radio, had been ill for some time and died on Friday morning with his wife, Christine, at his side.
Paying tribute, Katrina Bunker, Head of BBC Yorkshire, said: "Gerry was a true legend of local broadcasting, starting his career in 1968 as one of the first voices on BBC Radio Sheffield."
Away from the microphone, he had a talent for performing in theatre and for art. His paintings featured in exhibitions and he raised money for charity by making and selling Christmas cards featuring his work.
In a 2018 interview in the Sheffield Star marking his 50 years in broadcasting, he recalled that in the 1970s he was doing two jobs, handling advertising for local company Stanley Tools and doing radio work.
"It became an alarmingly unbalanced life," he told the newspaper.
But broadcasting eventually won his heart.
"I decided, with my wife's full approval, that although it was only earning £12 a week I would take it on and see what I could do," he said.
It turned out well and Gerry became a listeners' favourite, both for the BBC and on independent station Radio Hallam.
Ms Bunker said: "In later years he was known for request-based and nostalgia shows and he got loads of letters, emails and calls right up to his last show in 2020.
"Wherever you went around the area you would always meet someone who loved Gerry's show.
"Off-mic, Gerry was just as much of a gentleman as he was on it, always encouraging , always warm and proud to still be on the radio after 50 years.
"He will be sadly missed by all who knew him."
Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Woman Asks if It's ‘Petty' Not to Rearrange to Meet with Friends After Previous Plans Were Cancelled Twice
"Two nights now I have been ditched," the woman said of the cancelled plans A woman is on the verge of giving up on seeing her friends after their previous plans were canceled on more than one occasion. In a post shared on the U.K.-based parenting forum Mumsnet, the woman explained that she and two friends have been trying to plan a "wine and food night" together for weeks, but they've been forced to reschedule every single time so far. "We all have young children but managed to book in a date," the woman explained, adding that they decided the best place to host their small gathering was at her house. According to the woman, their group's plans were all set, her toddler would be in bed by 6:30 p.m. and her partner planned to meet a friend. However, she then received a text from her friend asking to reschedule. "On the day, friend messages around 12ish to ask if we can rearrange as she's not well. Fine. Sat in with [takeout] for one," the woman said. "The next day, however, she mentioned how her family had gone for a late lunch with other friends (on the day she canceled)." The Mumsnet user thought the cancellation was "a bit odd," but the trio locked in a new date to hang out regardless. As the next hangout date approached, the woman cleaned up her house again, purchased plenty of food and wine and her partner arranged to go out once more — before the friend suddenly canceled again, saying that she had accidentally double-booked. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Around 12 p.m., we get a message to say she has double booked, her partner forgot to mention his friend is staying over and would now be rude to head out for the evening," she recalled, adding that the friend immediately asked to rearrange their plans again. "She then messages to say they have tickets to an event now in the afternoon and excited to head back for food, games and drinks with her [partner's] friend for the evening and worried about [getting a] hangover," the woman continued of her friend. "Me and other friend aren't as close, so it doesn't really work for us two to carry on to be honest, and she didn't seem keen in the group message." The woman shared that she felt she had been "ditched" two nights in a row, especially considering her partner had gone out both nights as well. "I turned down other plans for today that came up a while ago!" she said, before turning a question over to the online community to answer. "[Am I being unreasonable] to not rearrange again?" she finished. "Is that petty?" Very quickly, the large Mumsnet community decided the original poster was entirely in the right to not want to reschedule, as she had changed her own family's plans multiple times to try and accommodate this friend. "That would p--- me right off," one commenter said. "She wants it, but you are having to host and clean your house for it to happen! If she suggests it again, say, 'OK — we'll come to you, as you're organizing it.'" "I can't bloody stand these people who consider every plan as tentative until the day of," another reply stated. "I'd tell her she's welcome to plan and host the next one, and you look forward to attending. And if you get a better offer in the meantime, ditch her with a clear conscience!" Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Outrage as Jewish comedians' Edinburgh Fringe shows cancelled ‘over staff safety concerns'
Two Jewish comedians have claimed their shows have been cancelled on the Edinburgh Fringe this year because of 'safety concerns' from staff at the venue. Rachel Creeger was set to perform her show 'Ultimate Jewish Mother' at Whistlebinkies during the annual arts festival, while Philip Simon was due to host a 'Jew-O-Rama' of Jewish comedic talents at the same venue. However, both acts claimed they were told their gigs would be cancelled because bar staff at the venue expressed fears of being 'unsafe'. Organisers of the Fringe said they were working to find alternative venues for the performers, but politicians and comedians have raised concerns about the move at a time when antisemitism is on the rise in the UK. 'This would have been the third year in a row of that specific show at that venue,' Ms Creeger told Times Radio on Sunday. 'When it comes to safety they said that they felt the extra safety precautions that many Jewish performers are subject to at the moment due to rising antisemitism made them feel, ironically, more unsafe. 'The precautions included [that] when the extra police allocated for the festival had their beat patrols allocated they would pass by the beginning and the end of where Jewish shows were happening, so nothing invasive to the venue, and having some contact numbers by the phone in case they needed advice or to report any kind of antisemitic incident. 'They also cited that they had increased graffiti in their venue since having us which they found threatening - we're not sure why, we certainly weren't the people creating the graffiti - but they claim that they had to repaint toilet doors where most of the graffiti was happening on a regular basis. 'The shows are not political, we're not political performers.' Ms Creeger said that just last year, the venue had gone to great lengths to say the venue was a safe space and they would ensure the comedians always had a positive experience there. While initially there had been plans to swap venues so they could still perform, it was too late to make these arrangements, The Telegraph reported. Their shows no longer appear on the Edinburgh Fringe listings website. Mr Simon - who said that another venue in the city had also cancelled one of his shows - claimed that he was being 'cancelled just for being Jewish'. 'Anyone who knows me will know I have never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a way for peace,' he said. 'It is sad to think that these views could conflict with anyone who wants to see a lasting peace in Gaza and Israel. 'As a Jewish person living in Britain it is possible, and increasingly common, to have a love for Israel without supporting the actions of the government.' Israel's deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel criticised the reported cancellations. 'It's a shocking decision and it should be reversed,' she told The Independent. 'This is further proof of the normalisation of antisemitism in the UK.' And shadow Scotland Secretary Andrew Bowie told Times Radio: 'That is a shocking state of affairs. Everybody should be welcome to this country, regardless of their faith, regardless of where they've come from, to perform at the Edinburgh festival or anywhere else for that matter. 'The very fact that is happening in the United Kingdom in 2025 speaks very ill of the state of affairs in this country and demonstrates what we were warning of a few years ago in terms of the rise of antisemitism in this country is real and something we should be combating at the very highest level. The Independent has reached out to the Edinburgh Fringe, Free Fringe and Whistlebinkies for comment. PBH Free Fringe CEO Luke Meredith told Chortle: 'The decision not to host the two shows was taken by the venue alone. So far as we understand, this was a staff decision based on last year's experience when they experienced a significant rise in both 'Free Palestine' and Zionist graffiti, together with police notices that they said made them feel unsafe. 'The matter was first brought to our attention in late May, after the print deadline for the brochure had passed. I thought at the time that, having explained the police were only taking precautions and no actual threats had been made, and that moving them after they were already advertised in print might be detrimental, that the matter had been resolved. Apparently however it had been understood that we were to move the shows. 'I was made aware of this a week ago and since then we have been working with the shows to try and find them a suitable replacement slot, including approaching other organisations. Nothing has been possible so far but we welcome any offer of help. If anyone has a space in central Edinburgh that would like to host them, we would be happy to run it.' This is not the first time that the Fringe has faced questions over alleged antisemitism. Last year, American standup comedian Reginald D Hunter found himself at the centre of an antisemitism row at the Fringe when two Israeli people were heckled and booed at his gig after they objected to a joke comparing Israel to an abusive spouse.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Kelly Osbourne posts treasured moment with late father Ozzy Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne is sharing some of her favorite memories with her dad, Ozzy Osbourne, as she continues to mourn his death. The 40-year-old reality star took to Instagram stories on Saturday morning to share a sweet moment between the two of them while filming his A&E show "Jack & Ozzy's World Detour," per Page Six. In the clip, Ozzy can be seen jumping into the passenger seat of Kelly's RV, as she tells him "Morning, I got this song in my head I have to play it for you." The two then begin to dance together as they both sing along to "Paradise" by George Ezra. Kelly can then be heard telling her dad, "I love you," to which he responds, "I love you more." "One of the best Ozzy moments ever!" she wrote above the video. The Prince of Darkness died on Tuesday at the age of 76, just weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a final performance with the band in Birmingham, England. "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning," the family said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." Kelly first broke her silence after her father's death on Thursday, writing on Instagram stories, "I feel unhappy I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had." Following his death, a source told People magazine the rock legend was "surrounded by family" before he passed and was at "peace" in the moments before his death. "[Sharon's] deepest hope was fulfilled, and this is her focus now," a source told the outlet. "Ozzy's final days were spent in England, surrounded by family, music and in the place he called home. He was in peace." In addition to Kelly, Ozzy is also survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon Osbourne, and their children, Aimée and Jack Osbourne, as well as his three children from a previous marriage, Jessica, Louis and Elliot. Jack's ex-wife, Lisa Stelly, also paid tribute to the Black Sabbath frontman on Instagram, sharing photos of him with his grandkids, writing in the caption, "The world got Ozzy. We got Papa." "One of one. Larger than life. It hurts to say goodbye, but what a gift it was to have him," she continued. "We will never stop missing you."
