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Annie Nightingale: Radio 1’s first female DJ and champion of new music dies aged 83


The broadcaster’s family said she died at home on 11 January following a short illness and described her as a ‘pioneer, trailblazer and inspiration to many’

Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of young 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 1 is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock’n’roll.” Photograph: MirrorpixShe presented various music and discussion shows on the station and joined The Old Grey Whistle Test as co-host in 1978 following the departure of Bob Harris, and notably helmed an episode broadcast in the wake of John Lennon’s murder.

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Annie Nightingale

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