Annie Nightingale, BBC Radio 1’s First Female DJ, Passes Away at 83: Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley Pay Tribute to the Iconic Airwaves Pioneer

Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley were among stars paying tribute to Annie Nightingale following her death aged 83.  

It was revealed on Friday that the legendary radio DJ died at home after a short illness, with her family paying tribute to a ‘pioneer and inspiration to many’.

Ball – the first female host of the Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows for the BBC – was quick to praise Nightingale for being a ‘trailblazer’ for women in radio, admitting she was ‘heartbroken’ by the news. 

She shared on X: ‘Annie Nightingale… heartbroken to hear the news. The original trailblazer for us women in radio. She loved music like no other… and could out last any of us at the party.

‘So grateful for all the love & support she offered me over the years. What a dame… rest well.’

Zoe Ball (left) and Jo Whiley were among stars paying tribute to Annie Nightingale following her death aged 83 

It was revealed on Friday that the legendary radio DJ died at home after a short illness, with her family paying tribute to a ‘pioneer and inspiration to many’ (pictured in 2016) 

BBC radio presenter Jo Whiley described Nightingale as ‘the coolest woman who ever graced the airwaves’.

Sharing a black and white picture of Nightingale in a radio studio on X, Whiley wrote: ‘The coolest woman who ever graced the airwaves.

‘She blazed a trail for us all and never compromised. Her passion for music never diminished. Annie – My utmost respect and thanks for it all. Much love Jo.’

DJ and presenter Trevor Nelson, who started his broadcasting career in the 1980s and still presents on BBC Radio 1Xtra, said Nightingale, who was twice divorced, had made him ‘feel like music broadcasting is for life’.

‘Dear Annie, you were more than just a trailblazer for women on radio, you made me feel like music broadcasting is for life. Rave in peace,’ he posted on X.

Greg James, the presenter of BBC flagship the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, said being in the presence of Nightingale was ‘such a treat’ and she will be missed ‘so much’.

‘Annie Nightingale’s life and achievements were so extraordinary you couldn’t possibly sum them up on here,’ James posted on X.

‘It was such a treat if you happened to be in the building at the same time as her.

‘She was always so interested in what everyone else was up to. We’re going to miss her so much. She was just absolutely amazing.’

A host of radio DJs reached out to offer their condolences and pay tribute 

Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac praised her late colleague for changing ‘the face and sound of British TV and Radio broadcasting forever’ following her death.

The Dublin-born DJ and broadcaster, who real name is Annie Macmanus, posted a black-and-white photo of a young Nightingale to Instagram to pay tribute.

She wrote: ‘What a devastating loss. Annie Nightingale was a trailblazer, spirited, adventurous, fearless, hilarious, smart, and so good at her job. This is the woman who changed the face and sound of British TV and Radio broadcasting forever. You can’t underestimate it.

‘Before Annie Nightingale came on Radio 1, it was legitimately believed by BBC bosses that people didn’t want to hear women’s voices on the radio. Radio DJs were seen as husband substitutes for the wives who listened at home. God forbid British women might want to listen to other women.’

Macmanus said Nightingale ‘smashed through all the sexist stereotypes of what kind of broadcaster a woman should be’ and continued on through until she was an older woman.

She added: ‘She was always the epitome of ‘cool’, relentlessly curious and enthusiastic and hungry to learn. She always had the messiest desk in our office, the best outfits, and the most outrageous stories to tell. She was so sound!

‘I hope stages and festivals and awards will be named in her honour for decades to come. Queen of breaks! Annie Nightingale, you absolute legend, may you always be ‘on One’.’

BBC Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard, host of Radio 1’s Dance Party, described Nightingale as an ‘all time radio great’ after her death aged 83.

‘Very sad to hear the news of Annie Nightingale passing,’ he posted on X.

‘An all time radio great and an inspiration to many! I was in awe of her knowledge and passion for music, the way she talked about it and the stories she had!

‘Such a kind soul and will be missed. Thank you Annie R.I.P.’

Nightingale being handed a Guinness World Record as the longest serving female broadcaster by Liam Gallagher, one of her favourite musicians 

Glastonbury Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis has said Nightingale was ‘an inspiration to so many women in music’ and a ‘lovely human being’.

‘Goodbye dear Annie, a female trailblazer and true enthusiast,’ Eavis posted on Instagram.

‘Annie gave me so much support when I was in my twenties, I always felt so grateful to have such a strong woman encouraging me along the way and I’m sure she has done the same for many others like me.

‘She was an inspiration to so many women in music, broadcasting and beyond and just a lovely human being.’

Nightingale was appointed an MBE for services to radio broadcasting in 2002, and in 2010 received a Guinness World Record as the longest serving female broadcaster at a ceremony attended by Liam Gallagher, one of her favourite musicians.

She is survived by two children – Alex and Lucy – who she shared with her first husband Gordon Thomas. She was later married to actor Tony ‘Binky’ Baker but the couple later divorced.

A family statement released on Friday said: ‘Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness.

‘Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remains undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.

‘Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of your women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.

‘Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll.’

Nightingale reclines on her stereogram at her home in Brighton in a photo taken on December 14, 1964

The statement added that a celebration of her life will be taking place in the spring at a memorial service.

Nightingale first broadcast on the BBC in 1963 as a panelist on Juke Box Jury, before joining Radio 1 seven years later.

She remained the station’s only female DJ until 1982, when Janice Long joined, and is credited with helping to pave the way for the likes of Sara Cox, Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball.

Up until recently she still hosted her show Annie Nightingale presents… on BBC Radio 1.