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

Former Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw dies aged 66Just nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul GlynnCulture reporterBBCAndy Kershaw was famous for championing world music Former BBC Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw has died aged 66, his family has confirmed, saying he died around 19:30 BST on Thursday.It had been announced in January that the broadcaster had been diagnosed with cancer and was unable to walk. Kershaw was a familiar voice on Radio 1 for15 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.Getty ImagesHe worked at BBC Radio 1 from 1985 until 2000Kershaw 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 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 of 1985 - he was viewed by some as a potential successor to DJ John Peel. His sister Liz Kershaw also worked at the station during his time there, from 1987 to 1992.But by 2000, Andy Kershaw's weekly late-night Radio 1 show was axed as part of a scheduling overhaul. His last months on the network featured sessions by Willie Nelson and Lou Reed.After Radio 1 Kershaw went on to report for BBC Radio 4, including reports for the Today Programme, and he travelled the world to explore both global music and political and conflict zones. He also worked on BBC Radio 3, where in his words he...