Tributes have been made across the music and media industries to Annie Nightingale, the BBC Radio 1 DJ who died last week aged 83.
Her family said in a statement on Friday: “Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London 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".
“Never underestimate the role model she became", they added. "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 tune they had just heard".
Born in April 1940, Nightingale began her media career in newspapers, magazines and TV, including hosting 1960s pop show 'That's For Me'. After the BBC launched Radio 1 in 1967, she began lobbying management at the station for an on-air role - at the time the station employed exclusively male presenters. She succeeded, with her first show airing in 1970 - until 1982 she was the only female DJ on Radio 1.
Having started with a daytime show she then moved into an evening slot which gave her more control over the music she played. This allowed her to champion new artists and new music - something she continued to do for the rest of her life. There was more TV work too, most notably a long stint presenting the BBC music show 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'.
She continued to present her weekly show on Radio 1 - becoming the station’s longest serving presenter - with the most recent edition broadcast last week. And in 2021 she launched a new initiative on her show championing talented women and non-binary people who are gaining traction in the electronic music scene across the world, which last year included Imogen, Jay Carder and Rossy.
Paying tribute to Nightingale on Friday, Head Of Radio 1 Aled Haydn Jones said: "All of us at Radio 1 are devastated to lose Annie, our thoughts are with her family and friends. Annie was a world class DJ, broadcaster and journalist, and throughout her entire career was a champion of new music and new artists. She was the first female DJ on Radio 1 and over her 50 years on the station was a pioneer for women in the industry and in dance music. We have lost a broadcasting legend and, thanks to Annie, things will never be the same".
Meanwhile, the BBC's Director Of Music, Lorna Clarke, added: "She was a fierce pioneer for new music and supporting female talent, and will be hugely missed by her many supporters from around the world".