Gerry Kersey dead: BBC Radio Sheffield legend with 50-year career dies

Gerry Kersey has died aged 86.

The former BBC Radio Sheffield presenter, who had racked up a 50-year career in the industry, died on Friday with his wife Christine by his side. He is reported to have been ill for some time prior to his death.

Head of BBC Yorkshire, Katrina Bunker, paid tribute to Gerry as a "true legend of local broadcasting". She wrote: "Gerry was a true legend of local broadcasting, starting his career in 1968 as one of the first voices on BBC Radio Sheffield."

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Gerry kickstarted his radio career alongside his love of art and performing in the theatre, with his paintings featuring in exhibitions. In the 1970s, he juggled two jobs - his radio work and advesrtising for a local company which he said in a 2018 interview with the Sheffield Star led to him having an "alarmingly unbalanced life".

He also previously worked at a giant steelworks site, which has now been replaced by Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield, where his dad worked for 39 years. Gerry lasted four years in the company as a wages clerk, which led him to spend a lot of time walking through the rolling mills and furnaces.

“It was hot, sticky, dark and dangerous and the air was full of chemicals," he told The Star in 2022, "but it was also a magnificent stage featuring molten steel, sparks and tough fit men manipulating massive forgings and machinery."

Gerry decided to focus on broadcasting, explaining: "I decided, with my wife's full approval, that although it was only earning £12 a week I would take it on and see what I could do."

Listeners fell in love with Gerry's radio style and became a familiar voice on BBC Radio Sheffield and independent station Radio Hallam.

His former co-stars have since paid tribute to the "super talented" broadcaster, with football reporter Alan Biggs tweeting: "Radio listeners in Sheffield will mourn the passing of Gerry Kersey. Gerry was a mainstay of both Radio Sheffield & Radio Hallam (where I was lucky to work with the nicest bloke). Super talented; actor & artist also. Thinking of Gerry’s family & many friends."

He added: "Not just in Sheffield. Would have said South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire if more characters allowed for the post. Some wonderful heartfelt replies that I am sure will be much appreciated by Gerry’s family."

One listener paid tribute under the post, writing: "Fond memories with Gerry growing up as a child. He was very talented, a fine artist in his own right. I spent many a summer at Hallam Art Soiciety with him and my father. Very sad news."

While another commented: "Way back in the day, when my folks had lives before having kids they were friends with him and his wife, and he lived at No.1 of the road that I now live on. Have heard some tales over the years! And also listened to him on Hallam way back when. RIP GK."

A third wrote: "One of the voices of my youth/early adulthood, very sad news Alan."

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