Andy Kershaw, a former BBC Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter, has died at age 66, according to multiple reports. His death was announced by major media outlets, though the exact cause and location remain unknown.
Kershaw started his national broadcasting career on television in 1984, joining the presenting team for Whistle Test. In 1985, he joined others to host the Wembley Live Aid concert on television and radio, a major global event. That same year, he began presenting a weekly evening show on Radio 1, briefly on Saturdays, then on Thursdays until 1989, establishing his early presence on the station.
He later established himself as a journalist reporting for radio on wars and horrors in far-flung places. Kershaw broadcast on Radio 4 from 1987, reporting on events such as the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and civil wars in Angola in 1996 and Sierra Leone in 2001, covering conflicts across Africa.
Kershaw was dropped by Radio 1 in 2000, marking a shift in his career. He made shows for five of the main BBC national radio stations throughout his career, demonstrating his versatility across the broadcaster's platforms.
Following his death, tributes poured in from family and colleagues. His sister Liz shared a tribute on X following his death. On The One Show, presenter Alex Jones paid tribute to Kershaw, highlighting his impact on broadcasting.
Kershaw presented a number of films for The One Show in the past, contributing to the program's content. The full extent of his contributions to these films is not detailed, and it remains unknown what specific type of cancer he was diagnosed with or details about his treatment.