Beloved BBC radio legend d.i.e.s as devastated presenter pays tribute

A BBC broadcasting legend has sadly passed away.

BBC radio

A BBC radio legend has died as tributes have poured in (Image: BBC )

A BBC radio legend has passed away, with a fellow presenter paying tribute. Jenny Collins was part of the original team which launched BBC Radio Merseyside back in 1967, where she worked for many years. It was as the third BBC Local Radio station to start broadcasting, launching on 22 November 1967 in Commerce House, Liverpool. BBC Radio Merseyside broadcast Roger Lyon posted on Facebook: “Very sad to hear today of the passing of one of the founding members of Radio Merseyside, the lovely Jenny Collins.

“She was there at the start in 1967 and performed many duties both in front of and behind the mike. I still have letters that we swapped in the mid 90s when I was living and working in Oz, and she was acting Programme Controller, planning what shows I could do on RM when I returned.

Jenny's famous husband Steve Voce

Jenny’s famous husband Steve Voce died in 2023 (Image: BSL Gray)

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The last time I saw her was about 4 years ago when she was my guest on RM chatting about her career working there. She was married to Steve Voce who for many years presented a Jazz Programme called Jazz Panorama. She had a great broadcasting voice and was a genuinely lovely person. RIP.”

His followers soon responded, as one fan said: “Oh sad I remember listening to Jenny,” as another added: “Very sad news RE Jenny Collins, she had a “radio voice” one of the first presenters I heard when RM opened.”

A third agreed: “The lady with the most incredible voice ever – an integral part to the sation. So sad to hear this news.”

A fourth said: “Nice words Roger. Remember in the early 90’s, Jenny packed me off to London for a week on a Presenter course. Always believed it was the leg up to my 30 years with BBC Merseyside. RIP Jenny.”

One fan also posted in a fan page for Radio Merseyside: “Sad news as I note the death of an original Radio Merseyside stalwart. Jenny Collins was part of the team which launched the station in 1967 and was Senior Producer for many years, and presented programmes including Junior Spin. She had been married to the station’s former jazz show presenter, the late Steve Voce.”

Jenny’s husband Steve Voce, who was a renowed jazz critic and broadcaster, died in 2023.