News Beat
Beloved Radio One DJ Andy Kershaw, 66, reveals he has cancer that’s left him ‘unable to walk’
ICONIC Radio One DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw is battling cancer.
The DJ and presenter has been left unable to walk after doctors discovered tumours in his spine last August.
Kershaw, 66, who was still championing new music with his regular podcast, joked: “I am in good spirits, feeling very positive and planning another podcast.
“I am determined not to die before Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Ant’n’Dec. That should keep me going for a while.”
Kershaw started his career at Radio Aire in Leeds as promotions manager forming a partnership with veteran broadcaster Martin Kelner.
He also gave TV presenter Carol Vorderman her first job.
In 1984 he was asked to present BBC TV’s flagship rock programme, The Old Grey Whistle Test and the following year he co-presented the BBC’s television coverage of Live Aid.
Kershaw, who moved to Todmorden, West Yorkshire in 2013, was hired by Radio 1 as a successor to legendary DJ John Peel.
He travelled the world extensively covering conflicts and music and was a regular contributor to Radio 4 and reported on the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.
Friend Peter Everett said: “My friend Andy has been going through a difficult time.
Last August he was diagnosed with cancer, mainly affecting his spine and making him unable to walk.
Since then he has been undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and a lot of scans and painkillers.
Although we’ve not been able to put together any podcasts in the last six months, we are very grateful to all the patrons and supporters who have stuck with us.”
