Former Top of The Pops host and BBC Radio presenter Janice Long passed away on Christmas day at the age of 66 following a short illness.
Agent, Nigel Forsyth, confirmed the sad news in a statement, detailing she had suffered from a "short illness" before she passed away surrounded by family.
Janice and Paul Berry married in 2017, but had been together for many years and had two children, Blue, 25 and Fred, 33.
Her husband said: "I’ve lost the love of my life and I’m going to spend the rest of it half a person.
"She had my back from the day we met, you couldn’t possibly ask for more love and loyalty from a wife."
Read our Janice Long live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Milica Cosic
Musician Midge Ure on Janice Long
Musician Midge Ure has also paid tribute to Long’s death.
He said on Twitter: “Dreadful news. Janice stood with us on the pitch at Wembley stadium as we announced Live Aid. A broadcast legend and absolute music lover.”
- Milica Cosic
Janice's long career
Long’s career spanned five decades where she became the first woman to have her own daily show on BBC Radio 1, and the first woman to regularly host Top of the Pops.
She was also hosted the breakfast show on Greater London Radio and XFM as well as being one of the main presenters of the Live Aid charity concert in 1985.
- Milica Cosic
Nigel Forsyth's statement
Nigel Forsyth said in a statement: “Janice was a wonderful, warm human being and exceptional broadcaster.
“She told a brilliant story and always made you roar with laughter with her sharp wit. She will leave behind her husband Paul and two children, who she thought the world of.
“Janice loved the BBC and started her career as a station assistant at BBC Radio Merseyside in 1979, to complete it with the magnificent people at BBC Radio Wales.
“Janice wanted it known she was so thankful to the NHS and all who looked after her there.”
- Milica Cosic
Adele Roberts thanks Janice
BBC radio DJ Adele Roberts was among the figures from the world of music and broadcasting to share a tribute.
Roberts hailed Long for pathing the way for female presenters like herself, saying: “RIP Janice Long.
“Thank you for everything you did to inspire others and open doors for other women and radio presenters to prosper.”
- Milica Cosic
Spokesperson for Greatest Hits Radio 'saddened'
A spokesperson for Greatest Hits Radio, where Janice worked, said: “We’re incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Janice Long.
"Throughout her illustrious career, Janice played a significant role and contribution to broadcasting, most recently as an integral part of the Greatest Hits Radio line-up.
"She was one-of-a-kind and will be greatly missed by all of us and her treasured listeners. Our deepest condolences are with her family and loved ones at this time."
- Milica Cosic
Her last social media post
Janice posted a final message on social media shortly after being hospitalised as she battled pneumonia.
She told her followers: "Good Morning world from my hospital bed in Liverpool.”
The exact cause of Janice's death is currently unknown, but those close to her confirmed her passing followed a "short illness".
- Milica Cosic
Janice's TV appearances
The Liverpool-born presenter was best known for her roles across BBC Radio although initially trained as a flight attendant.
Janice also appeared on Countdown, the X Factor and The Weakest Link – as well as providing the voiceover for BBC Three's Desperate Midwives.
- Milica Cosic
Janice championed new artists
Long was passionate about music and championed many artists long before they achieved chart success, including the band Primal Scream and singer Amy Winehouse, to whom she gave her first radio session.
Other artists to have been given early breaks by the broadcaster include Adele, The Smiths, The Coral and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
- Milica Cosic
First woman to present Top of the Pops
Long presented Top of the Pops for five years, the first woman to do this – and had a late-night slot on Radio 2.
She was also one of the main presenters of the Live Aid charity concert in 1985.
BBC director general Tim Davie described her as a "stellar presenter" who was loved across the industry.
- Milica Cosic
Carol Vorderman's tribute
TV presenter Carol Vorderman wrote on Twitter: "Rest In Music lovely vibrant trailblazer Janice Long. Janice is a huge star in our @BBCRadioWales tight knit family.
"As a woman in the industry, I truly admired her as the first woman ever to have a daily show on Radio One @BBCR1. We're in a state of disbelief to be honest."
- Milica Cosic
Lorna Clarke on Janice Long's career
Lorna Clarke, controller of pop music at the BBC, was among those paying tribute.
She said: "Everyone in pop radio was saddened to hear of the passing of Janice Long.
"She was long admired for her role as a talent spotter and new music champion, giving Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Amy Winehouse their first radio sessions, as well as lighting the way for female radio and TV presenters throughout the industry.
"We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends at this sad time."
- Milica Cosic
When did they get married? (Continued…)
Paul and Janice first got together in 1987, ten years after she married her first husband, Trevor Long – from whom she took her professional name.
Janice and Trevor divorced in 1982.
Despite being in a relationship that spanned three decades, Janice and Paul didn't decide to make it legal until 2017 when they finally tied the knot.
The pair remained together until her death.
- Milica Cosic
Who was Janice Long's husband Paul Berry?
Liverpool born presenter Janice Long died at home on Christmas Day 2021, surrounded by her family – including her long-time partner Paul.
Her death came just four years after her brother and fellow entertainer Kevin Chegwin passed away.
After Janice's death, her husband Paul said: "I've lost the love of my life and I'm going to spend the rest of it half a person. She had my back from the day we met, you couldn't possibly ask for more love and loyalty from a wife."
Not much is known about Paul outside of his relationship with Janice, as he kept a low profile.
Janice and Paul welcomed their son Fred in 1988 - Milica Cosic
Director-general of the BBC on Janice Long
Tim Davie, the director-general of the BBC, said Long had blazed a trail and would be missed by fans, listeners and colleagues.
He said that: “Janice Long was a stellar presenter, who was loved and respected across the industry and her passing is a huge loss to music, broadcasting and the BBC.”
- Milica Cosic
Presenters & BBC radio DJ's praise Janice
Jeremy Vine and Greg James have led tributes to "legendary" BBC radio presenter Janice Long following her death aged 66.
Broadcaster Vine shared a photo of Long at her radio booth to Twitter and wrote: "Going to miss you, #janicelong.
He also posted an image of Long with her brother, the late entertainer Keith Chegwin, adding: "Brother and sister, both left us far too young, at 60 and 66."
BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James described Long as a "truly brilliant radio person".
He added: "She was so kind and sweet to me when I was on earlies on R1 and she was on R2 nights at the same time.
"She picked the greats and got them in session before other DJs had even heard of them. She was such a laugh as well."
- Milica Cosic
Janice's children pay respect to their mum
Janice Long's daughter, Blue, 25, praised her mother for forging a path for women in the media.
Blue said: “Mum I love you. You paved the way for me to have an incredible life. You were a trailblazer for so many women to go conquer and succeed.
"The first woman to host Top of the Pops and the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 1.”
Janice's son, Fred, 33, referred to his mother as an “absolute G”.
He added: “She wasn’t only a mum to me but a whole bunch of my friends that she took in and cared for and I’ll never forget everything she has done for me.”
- Milica Cosic
Janice's husband writes touching tribute
Warm tributes have been paid to the radio DJ and regular Top of the Pops presenter Janice Long, who at the age of 66.
Her husband, Paul Berry, said: “I’ve lost the love of my life and I’m going to spend the rest of it half a person.
"She had my back from the day we met, you couldn’t possibly ask for more love and loyalty from a wife.”
- Milica Cosic
How did Janice's brother Keith die?
Keith died following a “long-term battle with a progressive lung condition” on December 11, 2017.
n a statement Keith’s family said: “We are heartbroken to share the news that Keith Chegwin sadly passed away following a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which rapidly worsened towards the end of this year.
“Keith died peacefully at home shortly after midnight on the 11th of December. His wife Maria, his daughter Rose and his son Ted were by his side.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Severn Hospice for the kindness, support and care they have shown us all over the last few weeks.
“Keith was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We would respectfully ask to be left to mourn his passing in private.”
- Milica Cosic
Janice Long's relationto Keith Chegwin
Janice was the sister of television presenter and actor Keith Chegwin, who tragically passed away in December 2017.
The star had suffered from lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ahead of his premature death at the age of 60.
Keith, who made his name presenting the popular children’s shows Cheggers Plays Pop and Saturday Superstore, died at home surrounded by family.
The family wrote at the time: "We are heartbroken to share the news that Keith Chegwin sadly passed away following a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which rapidly worsened towards the end of this year.”
The TV presenter had spent his final weeks at the Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury – which his family thanked for their "kindness, support and care".
The star was the sister of TV presenter Keith ChegwinCredit: Rex - Milica Cosic
Did Janice Long have any children?
Janice was a mother-of-two, sharing children Fred and Blue with her husband Paul Berry, who she married in an intimate ceremony in 2017.
The couple had formed a relationship in 1987, years after her divorce from first-husband Trevor Long, who she married in 1977.
Fred and Blue have remained out of the spotlight for their lives – and are currently thought to be in their early-thirties.
- Milica Cosic
Tributes continue
Ian McCulloch, of Liverpool band Echo and the Bunnymen, described her as a "Liverpool legend and dear friend".
He added: "I am so sad to hear the devastating news of her passing."
Tim Burgess, from band The Charlatans, praised her support of fledgling bands, describing her as a "mentor".
He added: "To hear our records on her show was always the biggest thrill – her enthusiasm and love shone through. One of a kind. Safe travels, we’ll miss ya."
- Milica Cosic
Agent's statement
Her agent Nigel said of her death in a statement: "Janice was a wonderful, warm human being and exceptional broadcaster.
"She told a brilliant story and always made you roar with laughter with her sharp wit. She will leave behind her husband Paul and two children.
"Janice loved the BBC and started her career as a station assistant at BBC Radio Merseyside in 1979, to complete it with the magnificent people at BBC Radio Wales.
"Janice wanted it known she was so thankful to the NHS and all who looked after her there."
- Milica Cosic
What was Janice Long's cause of death?
The exact cause of Janice's death is currently unknown, but those close to her confirmed her passing followed a "short illness".
She was hospitalised for the brief battle, which she revealed to her followers on social media, writing: "Good Morning world from my hospital bed in Liverpool.”
It was later revealed she had passed away on Christmas Day.
- Milica Cosic
Who was Janice Long? (Continued…)
She was later recommended to BBC Radio 1 by broadcaster Paul before she made her debut with a Saturday-night show in 1982.
Chart show Top of the Pops then welcomed her as the first female presenter in 1983, where she co-presented the show alongside John Peel.
Janice returned to co-present the final show in July 2006 after decades of working with Crash FM, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music.
She also presented four night a week on BBC Radio Wales right up until her death, as well as the Saturday afternoon slot on Greatest Hits Radio.
Outside of radio, Janice also appeared on The X Factor, Countdown and The Weakest Link – as well as lending her voice to BBC Three's Desperate Midwives.
The star hosted her first show in 1979 on BBC Radio Merseyside Credit: Rex - Milica Cosic
Who was Janice Long?
Janice was an English radio presenter best known for her appearances across BBC Radio, including their Radio 1 and Radio 2 channels.
The star, who grew up in Liverpool, originally trained as a flight attendant with Laker Airways before turning her attentions to telesales and insurance.
She became a station assistant at BBC Radio Merseyside in 1979 where her clear hosting talent was spotted – and she was eventually given her own show.
Janice hosted Streetlife on Sunday mornings – where she interviewed Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Paul Gambaccini as part of a local show.
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