RADIO 1’S MIKE SMITH IS DEAD AT 59 TAKEN FAR TOO YOUNG
Tributes to Diana’s favourite DJ
SHOWBIZ pals of former Radio 1 DJ Mike Smith spoke of their grief last night after his death, aged just 59.
The blond- haired and famously youthful looking presenter passed away on Friday after complications from major heart surgery.
The one- time breakfast show host, who also presented Top of the Pops for six years and hosted the BBC’s Live Aid coverage – was Princess Diana’s favourite DJ.
He was a key figure in the early years of Comic Relief but largely stayed away from the limelight after a 1988 helicopter crash in which he and his future wife Sarah Greene were badly injured.
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Tributes were led by his long- term friends Phillip Schofield and Mike Read.
This Morning host Phillip tweeted: “There are no words. My wonderful, bright, funny, thoughtful friend Mike Smith has passed a way @ RealSarahGreene I’m so so sorry my darling x”
Last night Sarah – the exBlue Peter presenter who he was his wife for 25 years – thanked hospital staff for their care and compassion.
And stars from across the TV world paid tribute. Mike Read, Smith’s predecessor on BBC Radio 1’s breakfast show, said: “The news is just devastating. Sarah and Mike were a wonderful couple. It is horrible to hear.
“Mike became a mainstay of Radio 1, was highly successful on television too, and started up his own business which he was very good at. I worked with Sarah for a number of years and was very fond of them both.
“The helicopter crash was really bad but they just got on with it and married.
“Mike was a very affable guy, fantastically businesslike. It’s a real loss.”
Entertainer Keith Chegwin added: “Very sad news about Mike Smith. A nice man & great broadcaster... Far t oo y oung #mikesmith.”
Simon Mayo, a fellow ex-Radio 1 DJ, posted: “Shocked to hear of Mike Smith’s death. Condolences to Sarah and all his family.” Mike joined Radio 1 from Capital Radio in 1982. He moved on to the breakfast show in 1986, taking over from Mike Read. He did the job for two years.
In the helicopter crash Sarah broke both her legs and an arm, while Mike suffered a suffered a broken back and ankle.
The couple were engaged soon after and married a year later. Living in London, they had no children.
Smith, who was born in Essex, was also well known for his TV appearances in the 1980s on the BBC’s Breakfast Time, and The Late, Late Breakfast Show alongside Noel Edmonds.
He founded his company, Flying TV, which supplies aerial s hots f or UK broadcasters, in 2003 and spent much of his time as an aerial cameraman
A Flying TV spokesman said: “Mike’s legacy will be FTV continuing to go from strength to strength.”