Andy Kershaw: Former Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter dies aged 66

Former BBC Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw died aged 66 on Thursday evening, his family has confirmed. It had been announced in January that the broadcaster, who also had his own podcast, had been diagnosed with cancer and was unable to walk. Kershaw was a familiar voice on Radio 1 for 15 years from 1985, known for his eclectic taste and for helping champion world music. He went on to report for Radio 4, both on music and global conflicts including the 1994 Rwanda Genocide and civil war in Sierra Leone in 2001. Kershaw was born in Rochdale in 1959, and after studying at Leeds University, he began his career in the early 80s at Radio Aire in Leeds as a promotions manager, forging a partnership with veteran presenter Martin Kelner. In 1984, Kershaw first anchored the BBC's flagship TV rock programme, The Old Grey Whistle Test, having been spotted while he was working as a roadie and driver for performer Billy Bragg. The following year, he was one of the BBC's TV presenters for its coverage of Live Aid - a huge, star-studded benefit concert which raised money for the Ethiopian famine, organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Kershaw also joined BBC Radio 1 in the summer o