Veteran broadcaster Andy Kershaw has died at the age of 66 following a battle with cancer, his family confirmed on Friday.

They revealed he passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, just months after it was disclosed that he had been diagnosed with cancer affecting his spine — a condition that ultimately left him unable to walk.

Despite his illness, Kershaw had remained defiant and upbeat. Speaking earlier this year, he said: “I am in good spirits, feeling very positive and planning another  podcast.” In typical fashion, he added with dark humour: “I am determined not to die before Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Ant and Dec. That should keep me going for a while.”

A Life Dedicated to Music, Culture and Conflict Reporting

Kershaw spent nearly three decades working with the BBC, becoming one of the most distinctive voices on BBC  Radio 1 between 1985 and 2000. Known for his adventurous taste, he introduced listeners to global and non-mainstream  music rarely heard on British airwaves.

He began his BBC journey in 1984 on The Old Grey Whistle Test and later co-presented coverage of Live Aid — one of the most iconic music events in history.

Taking over from the legendary John Peel, Kershaw carved out his own legacy by championing world music and underground artists, earning multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards.

Beyond music, his journalism took him into some of the world’s most dangerous regions. He reported on the Rwandan genocide and covered conflict in Sierra Leone, while also producing rare radio recordings from North Korea — among the first ever captured inside the country.

Personal Struggles Behind the Spotlight

While his professional life flourished, Kershaw’s personal life was often turbulent. His 17-year relationship with restaurateur Juliette Banner ended dramatically in 2006 after she discovered his infidelity. The couple shared two children, Sonny and Dolly.

In his 2011 autobiography No Off Switch, Kershaw openly admitted his flaws, describing himself as a “selfish d**head”* and reflecting on past relationships with regret: “I treated Melanie, the sweetest and most loving of girlfriends, disgracefully.”

Following the breakup, he faced legal troubles, including imprisonment for breaching a restraining order taken out by Banner. Speaking in court in 2012, he said: “I have lost my kids. I have lost the woman I love. I have lost everything… I just want peace and quiet.”

A Complex Legacy Remembered

Born in Lancashire in 1959, Kershaw came from an academic family and was the brother of veteran broadcaster Liz Kershaw.

Despite personal setbacks, his influence on British radio and global music culture remains undeniable. He was widely credited with bringing diverse sounds to mainstream audiences and expanding the boundaries of what radio could be.

His friend Peter Everett summed up his final months, saying: “My friend Andy has been going through a difficult time… undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and a lot of scans and painkillers.”

Though he had been unable to continue podcasting in recent months, Everett added: “We are very grateful to all the patrons and supporters who have stuck with us.”