Former Radio 1 and Smooth presenter Andy Peebles has passed away

Broadcaster Andy Peebles has sadly died at the age of 76.

Andy began his radio career at BBC Radio Manchester before moving to Picadilly Radio at its launch in 1974 and then to BBC Radio 1 in 1978.

He presented various shows while at Radio 1 and famously interviewed John Lennon in New York two days before he was shot dead in 1980.

As well as having a love of soul music, Andy also had a passion for cricket and commentated on the sport for the BBC for over twenty years.

He also hosted the morning show on BBC Radio Lancashire for many years.

When Smooth launched in the North West as Smooth FM in 2004, Andy joined the station to present a Saturday afternoon sport and soul show. He later went on to host the weekday late show and his long-established Soul Train. He stayed with Smooth until the station was old in 2013.

Andy spent over 50 years in broadcasting and wrote several books. He was well-respected within the industry and was inducted to the Radio Academy Hall of Fame in 2011.