Radio presenter’s husband in tribute to ‘partner in a million’
CHRIS Needs’ husband has paid an emotional tribute to his partner of 30 years a week after his death.
The popular and muchloved Welsh radio presenter died on July 26 following a short period of ill health.
Since the announcement, many tributes have been paid to the 66-year-old presenter and his family have been inundated with messages of love and support.
Thanking those people for their support in a heartfelt message on social media, his devastated husband, Gabe Cameron, described his partner as “one in a million”.
Writing on Facebook, he said: “Chris touched so many lives, helped so many people and brought a smile and laughter when people needed it most. He will never be forgotten. He made a difference to everyone he met, including me.”
Through his Friendly Garden, Chris brought pleasure and comfort to thousands of radio listeners, from all over the world, who treated him like a true friend.
His husband Gabe said that due to current restrictions there will be a private funeral service but that a full memorial service will be held at a later date.
Gabe Cameron’s tribute in full reads:
“A week ago today I lost my partner of 30 years and husband Chris Needs, who died unexpectedly.
I want to thank everybody for their kind support and wonderful tributes to Chris over the past few days.
I have been overwhelmed by the huge number of messages, kind words and tributes received on social media, by phone, email and cards.
There have been so many that I have had difficulty in responding to everyone, so please accept my apologies and be assured I am aware of all your kindnesses and will respond as best I can – please bear with me, I am reading through all the comments.
I also want to thank everyone for their kind suggestion and support for me to take over the show, it is a lovely thought however, for me and the show (and BBC Radio Wales) it’s too soon to make these kinds of decisions.
I want to thank my mother Peggy, my brother Ross, my sister Anne and Carol Rees Jones, Bruce Anderson and Simon Winkler for their constant support, love and wonderful care for me during this very difficult time.
My grateful thanks also go to Mal Pope for hosting the show,
Colin Paterson for his support and to Llinos Jones for producing such a wonderful week of tributes to Chris, and to all the Garden for their enormous love for Chris and kind support for me and everyone involved in the show.
The BBC have done such an amazing job and the warmth and support from the Garden has been comforting.
Due to current restrictions, there will be a private funeral service. However, once the restrictions are removed a full memorial service will be held at a later date.
Chris touched so many lives, helped so many people and brought a smile and laugher when people needed it most. He will never be forgotten. He made a difference to everyone he met, including me. Chris was one in a million. My heartfelt thanks to you all.”
Gabe xxx