In The News

Broadcaster David Jacobs passes away

Broadcaster David Jacobs passes away

THE broadcaster David Jacobs has passed away at age of 87.

In a long and distinguished career with the BBC, Mr. Jacobs presented a range of programmes with the Corporation, including Juke Box Jury and Come Dancing. He had been presenting a show on Radio 2 until only weeks before his death.

Mr. Jacobs got his first taste of broadcasting while serving in the Royal Navy in the Second World War when he worked as an announcer on Radio SEAC.

After his war service he joined the BBC in 1945 and was soon one of the most popular presenters, first on radio and then in television. He also worked on the popular radio sci-fi serial Journey Into Space on which his ability to produce a range of voices enabled him to play 22 characters on the show.

As well as presenting shows such as Housewives’  Choice, Mr. Jacobs also took charge of presenting the BBC’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest and the popular Any Questions, which he chaired for 17 years from 1967. He was also one of the first presenters of Top of the Pops.

Over the years, he won a number of awards including BBC Radio Personality of the Year in 1975; a Sony Gold Award for outstanding contribution to radio in 1984 as well as being admitted to the Sony Hall of Fame in 1995.

He was awarded a C.B.E. in 1996.

Tributes were led by the controller of BBC Radio 2, Bob Shennan, who described Mr. Jacobs as “a true giant of the BBC”.

He added: “David was a legend in broadcasting, not only for the Radio 2 audience, but for the whole population. I am sure his audience will feel they have lost a friend, as we all do here at Radio 2.”

To seen an excerpt from an interview in which Mr. Jacobs discussed his long career, click here.

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