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Veteran BBC radio DJ Paul Gambaccini diagnosed with Alzheimer's
🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Culture & Society

Veteran BBC radio DJ Paul Gambaccini diagnosed with Alzheimer's

From BBC News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Veteran BBC Radio DJ Paul Gambaccini has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
  • The 77-year-old presenter, diagnosed in 2025, plans to continue his shows on BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio.
  • Gambaccini expressed gratitude for support and requested privacy while continuing to broadcast music.

Veteran BBC Radio DJ Paul Gambaccini has revealed his diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. The 77-year-old presenter, who received the diagnosis in 2025, stated that while it is a serious condition with an uncertain future, he intends to continue his work.

As Freddie Mercury once sang, you can't turn back the clock, you can't turn back the tide. Ain't that a shame. There's no denying it's a serious condition with an uncertain future, but for now life goes on as normal.

— Paul GambacciniIn a statement announcing his diagnosis.

Gambaccini, known as "The Professor of Pop," will continue to host his programs on BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio. He shared his diagnosis in a statement, quoting Freddie Mercury: "As Freddie Mercury once sang, you can't turn back the clock, you can't turn back the tide. Ain't that a shame." He added, "For now, I wish to be given the space to keep on broadcasting the music I love to the listeners I love even more. These are the days of our lives."

BBC Radio 2 expressed their love and best wishes to Gambaccini, affirming their support for his weekly music show. Andy Ashton, content director for Greatest Hits Radio, praised Gambaccini's bravery in sharing his diagnosis and echoed the presenter's sentiment about continuing to share music with listeners.

For now, I wish to be given the space to keep on broadcasting the music I love to the listeners I love even more. These are the days of our lives.

— Paul GambacciniExpressing his desire to continue working.

Born in New York City, Gambaccini has had a long and distinguished career in broadcasting, starting in college radio and working for Rolling Stone magazine. He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1973, presenting the US chart show for 18 years. He has been a presenter on multiple BBC radio stations and was a founding presenter of Classic FM. In 2005, he was inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. In 2013, BBC Radio 4 commissioned a series celebrating his 40 years in broadcasting, featuring interviews with guests like Sir Elton John.

We know our audience will wholeheartedly share his own desire to keep on broadcasting the music he loves to the listeners he loves even more.

— Andy AshtonGreatest Hits Radio content director praising Gambaccini.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by BBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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