Former Piccadilly Radio Programme Controller Tim Grundy has died aged fifty.
Grundy, son of TV presenter Bill Grundy (he of that infamous Sex Pistols interview on ITV's London local news programme in 1976), joined the Manchester ILR at the bottom of the hierarchy when still in his teens, working his way up the tree to become programming chief. While in charge of the station he oversaw the early career of one Chris Evans, among others.
As well as exec roles at Piccadilly and elsewhere, and running his own TV production company, Grundy also had a second career as a presenter himself, both on radio and on TV, perhaps being best known for his 'Two's Country' programme. In 2002 he was involved in the launch of a new radio station, Reading 107, where he also presented the breakfast show.
It is unclear how he died, though he did have heart problems, having suffered heart failure in 2006, an incident that led to a 13 day coma.
Paying tribute, Henry Matthews, a former Piccadilly Radio colleague of Grundy, told the Manchester Evening News: "I've spoken to a number of former colleagues since hearing the news, and, like me, they have been absolutely shocked and devastated. Tim was a hell of a nice block, a considerate colleague and a nice guy. In the early days he stood in the shadow of his father, but it's testament to his skills and talent that he was able to step out of that shadow. He was an innovative and inventive broadcaster".