‘Trailblazing’ Annie Nightingale dies at 83

By Craig Simpson

Annie Nightingale, the BBC Radio presenter, has died aged 83, her family have announced, paying tribute to a “trailblazer” who “refused to bow down to men”.

The presenter became the first woman to host BBC Radio 1 when she joined the station in 1970.

In a statement, they said: “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.

“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.”

Nightingale’s family added that she was someone who “never stopped believing in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll”.

Nightingale broke new ground in 1970 as the first female presenter of BBC Radio 1, and later admitted that she feared a mistake during her first broadcast, when she played the wrong record, would cost her the job.

She kept the role, however, and remained at the station for decades, earning a Guinness World Record in 2010 for having the longest career as a female radio presenter. She also presented the from 1978 to 1980.

In 2022 she hosted a series of special programmes on Radio 1 and Radio 2 to mark 50 years of broadcasting.

Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, paid tribute to a “uniquely gifted broacter”, calling her a “champion for female broadcasters”.

Zoe Ball, the BBC Radio 2 presenter, also shared her sadness at the loss, saying she was “heartbroken” at the news.

She said: “She loved music like no

‘Before Annie Nightingale, BBC bosses believed that people didn’t want to hear women’s voices on radio’

other, she sought out the tunes and artists that shaped our lives, she interviewed them all, opening doors for musicians, DJs and broadcasters alike.”

BBC Radio 1 presenter Mollie King said on air as she announced the news of Nightingale’s death yesterday that the DJ “really championed female talent”.

Annie Mac, who hosted a variety of Radio 1 shows before leaving in 2021 after 17 years, described Nightingale as a “trailblazer, spirited, adventurous, fearless, hilarious, smart, and so good at her job”.

She added: “Before Annie Nightingale came on Radio 1, it was legitimately believed by BBC bosses that people didn’t want to hear women’s voices on the radio.

“Radio DJs were seen as husband substitutes for the wives who listened at home.

“God forbid British women might want to listen to other women.”

The Dublin-born DJ, whose real name is Annie Macmanus, said Nightingale “smashed through all the sexist stereotypes of what kind of broadcaster a woman should be”.

Jo Whiley, the BBC Radio 2 presenter, called Nightingale “the coolest woman who ever graced the airwaves”, adding: “She blazed a trail for us all and never compromised.”

Emily Eavis, the Glastonbury Festival co-organiser, remembered her as “an inspiration to so many women in music” and a “lovely human being”.

Fellow veteran presenter Trevor Nelson said Nightingale made him “feel like music broadcasting is for life”, adding: “Rave in peace.”

Tributes flood in for Radio 1’s first female presenter, who inspired ‘generations of young women’