12 January 2024 , 14:04
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Annie Nightingale was the first female presenter on BBC Radio 1 in 1970 and the station’s longest-serving host.
The legendary DJ died at home aged 83 after a short illness, with her family paying an emotional tribute to a 'pioneer, trailblazer and inspiration to many'.
The broadcaster joined Radio 1 in 1970 and was known for pioneering new artists and helping other women propel upwards in a heavily male-dominated industry.
She held a Guinness World Record as the longest serving female broadcaster and was appointed an MBE in 2002 for services to radio broadcasting.
Annie was the first women to join Radio 1 (Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Annie Nightingale in 2013 (Getty Images Europe)She lived an incredible life jet-setting around the world - and shared an incredibly close bond with The Beatles, even knowing about John Lennon and Yoko Ono's relationship before it became public knowledge.
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Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, she talked about the time she spent at the Fab Four’s Apple Studios sessions in London.
She said: "I was accepted but also knew that they had a kind of code – one strike and you’re out. You let them down, you break that trust, and that’s it, it’s over,’ she tells host Lauren Laverne.
Annie was close with The Beatles (Handout)"And I thought that was perfectly fair. I knew about John and Yoko before it was announced. If that story breaks then they’ll think, "Oh, it’s your fault.” And when they did go public it was a great relief because sometimes it’s not good to be in the right place at the right time."
Happily, she carried on working up until the time of her death, but admitted her biggest financial error was not caring about money - once telling the Daily Mail: "My mistake is probably not caring enough about money. Not investing in anything for the long term when younger.
"Then again, had I invested in the stock market or property, it might have gone horribly wrong. I used to say: when I'm old, I'll have to live off my wits. Well, that's what I'm doing and I'm terribly grateful that I'm still able to do what I do. I hate the 'R' word: retire. I don't want to watch daytime TV."
Speaking about her desire to carry on working, she said: "That's not up to me. That's up to the BBC. But as long as I feel I'm doing the job well and they will have me, I hope I will continue.
"Every week, in my job, is a new adventure. I enjoy it. People don't understand. Most people get bored with pop music when they're a certain age. I go on being interested in where it's going, the twists and turns."
On Desert Island Desks, she told how she applied for a job at Radio 1 when it started but was turned down because she was a woman.
She told Lauren Laverne: "They came out with this wonderful line, they said, "Our disc jockeys are husband substitutes.’’ That set up a lot of assumptions that all the women pop fans were housewives at home doing the ironing."
In a statement, her family said: "Annie Nightingale MBE passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness.
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"Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remained 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 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 One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll.
"A celebration of her life will take place in the spring at a Memorial Service. The family request privacy at this time.”
BBC Radio 1 said it was "extremely saddened” to her that its longest serving host Annie Nightingale has died aged 83.
She became their first female presenter when she joined the station in 1970.
Alongside a photo of the renowned DJ, the station wrote in post to social media: "BBC Radio 1 is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Radio 1 DJ, Annie Nightingale CBE.
"Our deepest condolences are with Annie’s friends and family at this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Annie.”