Radio 2 and LBC man Bob Holness dies

Bob Holness, who started his broadcasting career in radio, has died in his sleep at the age of 83.

He hosted Late Night Extra on the Light Programme before taking the show to Radio 1 then Radio 2. Bob spent 10 years on LBC before rejoining Radio 2 for 12 years until 1997.

A statement from Bob’s family said he died early this morning (Friday). He had suffered from a series of strokes and was in a nursing home.

Bob initally worked for Radio Luxembourg as a pop presenter, and used to sign off each night by saying “Whether at home or on the highway, thanks for tuning my way.”

On The Light Programme he presented programmes including Midday Spin and Housewives Choice, before becoming a regular host of Late Night Extra. That show continued on Radio 1 until 1971 and then on Radio 2 only between 1971 and 1975. Other presenters on the show included Terry Wogan and Michael Parkinson.

In 1975 Bob moved to LBC to co-host the breakfast show with Douglas Cameron, only leaving in 1985 to return to Radio 2.

At Radio 2 in the 80s and 90s he fronted shows including ‘Bob Holness Requests the Pleasure’ and ‘Bob Holness and Friends’, as well as doing weekday cover. Until 1998, he also presented the request programme Anything Goes on the BBC World Service.

In total his work in radio spanned six decades.

Bob is perhaps best known to millions as the presenter of TV gameshow Blockbusters – but he was also the second actor to play James Bond, starring in a radio version of Moonraker in 1956. Bob is also subject of one of the most famous urban myths of the music industry – a false claim (reportedly started by 6 Music presenter Stuart Maconie in an NME column) that he played the saxophone on Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street.

Steve Allen, who worked with Holness on LBC said: “He was the man who put his suit on for the breakfast show. You smelt his aftershave before you saw him in the building, he was one of those sort of people. He was absolutely charming. No-one would ever deny he was the perfect radio host. I was with him for many, many years at LBC. He was just one of the nicest men. It’s terribly sad. Much, much missed and much love to Mary his wife and the rest of the family.”

(Source : Radio Today, UK)