Tributes have poured in for Perthshire broadcasting legend Desmond Carrington who has lost a long battle with cancer, aged 90.
The DJ famously broadcast his hugely popular BBC Radio 2 show from a converted barn studio at his home in Dunning.
He left listeners in tears when he ended his The Music Goes Round programme at the end of October. Carrington had earlier announced his plans to retire, after a career spanning more than seven decades.
At the time, he explained he “wasn’t too well” after his 90th birthday.
The BBC announced the DJ’s death during a pre-planned tribute show on Wednesday night.
He died peacefully earlier that day following a battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, his producer Dave Aylott said.
Bob Shennan, director of BBC Radio, said: “Desmond was a warm, caring and generous man who was much loved by the Radio 2 audience and all those who had the pleasure of working with him during his illustrious career.
“He was a natural broadcaster and a key part of the BBC Radio family. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Tears shed as Radio 2 Desmond tells listeners: “Bye just now”
Perth and North Perthshire MP and former musician Pete Wishart said: “I was saddened to hear of Desmond Carrington’s death and my thoughts go out to his family and friends. Desmond was a much loved broadcaster who was proud to broadcast from his home in Perthshire.
“Friday evenings on BBC Radio 2 will not be the same without him.”
Head of Radio 2 Lewis Carnie added: “The Music Goes Round was full of musical treasures and he will be very much missed by his listeners.”
Carrington started his final show with the traditional greeting: “Evening all, from home in Perthshire.”
He told listeners towards the end of the programme to “dream the impossible dream.”
He added: “So there we are, one last box of tunes and memories delivered from my place to yours. It’s something I have been doing every week for some 36 years on BBC Radio 2.
“In fact, I’ve been rabbiting away on the wireless for over 70 years so inevitably there comes a time to hang up the headphones – and for me this is it.”
He closed the show with That’s All by Mel Torme and said he was going to snuggle up with his cat, “golden paws Sam”, before ending with the usual closing remark: “Bye just now.”
The star DJ began his broadcasting career in 1945. During the Second World War, he was posted to Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he joined the British Forces Broadcasting Service.
After returning to the UK, Carrington became a radio producer and an actor. In the 1950s, he began presenting Movie Go Round for the BBC Light Entertainment Programme. This station later became Radio 2.
Carrington’s most famous programme, originally called All Time Greats, but later became The Music Goes Round, was a curated selection show, combining songs from across the eras according to a weekly theme.
He was awarded the Golden Badge of Merit in 1989 and voted Radio Personality of the Year in 1991.
