Tributes pour in for veteran BBC Radio star who has died after a 'short illness'

•  Dave Gray, who worked for the station for over 30 years, died aged 69

Tributes have poured in for a veteran BBC Radio Orkney star after he died following a ‘short illness’.

Dave Gray, who worked for the station for over 30 years, passed away yesterday.

Posting on social media, BBC Radio Orkney said they are ‘grieving the sudden loss of our friend and colleague’ and tributes to the ‘outstanding broadcaster’ have poured in from fans and friends alike.

The broadcaster, described as a ‘kind, generous and thoughtful soul’, presented a wide range of programmes including Around Orkney.

The veteran DJ who presented Steve Wright in the Afternoon along with Top of the Pops sadly died aged 69.

Tributes have poured in for a veteran BBC Radio star after he died following a ‘short illness’

Posting on social media, the radio station said they are ‘grieving the sudden loss of our friend and colleague’

The Radio station said in a statement on social media: ‘Everyone at BBC Radio Orkney is grieving the sudden loss of our friend and colleague Dave Gray who died on Wednesday after a short illness.

‘Dave was the heart and soul of the BBC in Orkney for three decades and we will miss him terribly. Thoughts are with his family.’

It added: ‘Everyone at BBC Radio Orkney is grieving the sudden loss of our friend and colleague Dave Gray, who died on Wednesday following a short illness.

‘For three decades Dave was the heart and soul of the BBC in Orkney and we will miss him terribly.

‘Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this most difficult of times. We will be sharing our tribute to Dave on Friday morning’s Around Orkney at 7.30am.’

Fans of the former BBC Radio Orkney host posted online to send their condolences to his loved ones.

One posted on social media: “A very rare guy indeed – you always left after a yarn better off than before you’d bumped into him – there’s not many folk like that around.’

Another posted: “I was only talking to him on Saturday. In shock. Tell those you love that you love them often. A nicer chap is hard to find.’

Fellow broadcaster Mark Hirst posted: ‘Absolutely shocked to the core to learn my pal Dave Gray, and the man who in many ways was Radio Orkney, has passed suddenly.

‘Dave was an absolutely outstanding broadcaster but more importantly an all round kind, generous and thoughtful soul. Thoughts with Collette and the family.’

The Radio Fanatic X account commented: ‘Very sad news. Rest in peace Dave.’

Another added: ‘This is such sad news. Dave was the life and soul of Radio Orkney.’

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