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Veteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young dies aged 95
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Media captionVeteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young dies aged 95
Veteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young has died aged 95.
The long-serving DJ, who spent almost three decades at BBC Radio 2, died "peacefully at home" on Monday afternoon with his wife Alicia by his side, a family spokesman said.
Sir Jimmy was one of the original Radio 1 DJs when the station launched in 1967.
He moved to Radio 2 in 1973 and filled the early afternoon slot until he retired in December 2002.
Before becoming a presenter on the airwaves, Sir Jimmy had a number of hit singles during the 1950s, including a cover of the Nat King Cole song, Too Young.
Obituary: Sir Jimmy Young
Tributes have begun pouring in for the presenter, who was born Leslie Ronald Young in 1921.
Sir Jimmy's former Radio 2 colleague Ken Bruce said: "So very sad to hear about the death of my old friend Sir Jimmy Young. One of the most able broadcasters I ever worked with."
Time Team presenter and Blackadder actor Tony Robinson said: "So sad. Such memories from my childhood and teens. I loved his versions of The Man From Laramie and Unchained Melody."
And television presenter Piers Morgan said: "Another giant of British broadcasting dies just months after his great friend & colleague Terry Wogan."
Image caption Margaret Thatcher on the Jimmy Young Show in 1975 - before she became prime minister
The Queen was said to be amongst the millions who tuned in to his show on the BBC.
Sir Jimmy interviewed every prime minister since Harold Macmillan, with Baroness Thatcher a guest 14 times.
Bob Shennan, director of BBC Radio, said: "He was a truly unique broadcaster who pioneered a form of presenting that generations have followed.
"He made current affairs relevant to millions of listeners and helped shape Radio 2 into the station it is today."
'Landmark'
Gillian Reynolds, Daily Telegraph radio critic, told the BBC: "He had an easy affability in interviews. He had a shrewd sense of when to interrupt and when to shut up.
"He wasn't a soft touch, but he brought out the softer side in many a politician, and when he went off, he was often covered by politicians. You wouldn't call Ken Livingstone a soft touch, but he was one of his understudies.
"Whoever's plan it was having him made an excellent choice because he is definitely a landmark in British broadcasting history."
Sir Jimmy's working life began as a clerk for a minister of education and a manager of a hair salon before he achieved his dream of getting a career in entertainment.
The broadcaster left the BBC after more than 30 years behind the desk after a revamp at the station to attract younger viewers by new controller Jim Moir saw him replaced.
Sir Jimmy made no secret that it was not his choice to leave, and a motion was even put down in Parliament to keep him on.
But he made up with the BBC in later years, hosting a one-off special for his 90th birthday.
Image copyright PA
Image caption Sir Jimmy was knighted in 2002 and celebrated at the BBC
Jeremy Vine, who took over the veteran's Radio 2 slot, tweeted: "Sad to see this news. RIP Jimmy."
DJ Mick Brown tweeted: "Legendary DJ Jimmy Young has sadly died… what a poxy year! Radio heaven gets another top jock!"
Children's entertainer Timmy Mallett also tweeted: "RIP Sir Jimmy Young. His 'unchained melody' was number one on the day I was born."
And LBC radio presenter Iain Dale tweeted: "Much respect to Sir Jimmy Young who died today, aged 95. The word 'legend' is overused, but not in his case. A true icon of radio."
Swami
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- From the section Entertainment & Arts
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37903108
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Media captionVeteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young dies aged 95
Veteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young has died aged 95.
The long-serving DJ, who spent almost three decades at BBC Radio 2, died "peacefully at home" on Monday afternoon with his wife Alicia by his side, a family spokesman said.
Sir Jimmy was one of the original Radio 1 DJs when the station launched in 1967.
He moved to Radio 2 in 1973 and filled the early afternoon slot until he retired in December 2002.
Before becoming a presenter on the airwaves, Sir Jimmy had a number of hit singles during the 1950s, including a cover of the Nat King Cole song, Too Young.
Obituary: Sir Jimmy Young
Tributes have begun pouring in for the presenter, who was born Leslie Ronald Young in 1921.
Sir Jimmy's former Radio 2 colleague Ken Bruce said: "So very sad to hear about the death of my old friend Sir Jimmy Young. One of the most able broadcasters I ever worked with."
Time Team presenter and Blackadder actor Tony Robinson said: "So sad. Such memories from my childhood and teens. I loved his versions of The Man From Laramie and Unchained Melody."
And television presenter Piers Morgan said: "Another giant of British broadcasting dies just months after his great friend & colleague Terry Wogan."
Image caption Margaret Thatcher on the Jimmy Young Show in 1975 - before she became prime minister
The Queen was said to be amongst the millions who tuned in to his show on the BBC.
Sir Jimmy interviewed every prime minister since Harold Macmillan, with Baroness Thatcher a guest 14 times.
Bob Shennan, director of BBC Radio, said: "He was a truly unique broadcaster who pioneered a form of presenting that generations have followed.
"He made current affairs relevant to millions of listeners and helped shape Radio 2 into the station it is today."
'Landmark'
Gillian Reynolds, Daily Telegraph radio critic, told the BBC: "He had an easy affability in interviews. He had a shrewd sense of when to interrupt and when to shut up.
"He wasn't a soft touch, but he brought out the softer side in many a politician, and when he went off, he was often covered by politicians. You wouldn't call Ken Livingstone a soft touch, but he was one of his understudies.
"Whoever's plan it was having him made an excellent choice because he is definitely a landmark in British broadcasting history."
Sir Jimmy's working life began as a clerk for a minister of education and a manager of a hair salon before he achieved his dream of getting a career in entertainment.
The broadcaster left the BBC after more than 30 years behind the desk after a revamp at the station to attract younger viewers by new controller Jim Moir saw him replaced.
Sir Jimmy made no secret that it was not his choice to leave, and a motion was even put down in Parliament to keep him on.
But he made up with the BBC in later years, hosting a one-off special for his 90th birthday.
Image caption Sir Jimmy was knighted in 2002 and celebrated at the BBC
Jeremy Vine, who took over the veteran's Radio 2 slot, tweeted: "Sad to see this news. RIP Jimmy."
DJ Mick Brown tweeted: "Legendary DJ Jimmy Young has sadly died… what a poxy year! Radio heaven gets another top jock!"
Children's entertainer Timmy Mallett also tweeted: "RIP Sir Jimmy Young. His 'unchained melody' was number one on the day I was born."
And LBC radio presenter Iain Dale tweeted: "Much respect to Sir Jimmy Young who died today, aged 95. The word 'legend' is overused, but not in his case. A true icon of radio."
Swami