Popular broadcaster Derek Jameson dies of heart attack aged 82

The former Radio 2 breakfast presenter and newspaper editor has died of a stroke on Wednesday...

12:01 15 September 2012

Derek Jameson has passed away at the age of 82 after suffering a heart attack at his home on Wednesday, leaving behind his wife and four children. The legendry former Radio 2 breakfast show host, who became a household name due to his Cockney accent, will be missed by many.

 

Mr. Jameson, who lived in Worthing, West Sussex, retired from Radio 2 in 1997 after taking over from Ken Bruce in 1986.

 

The star rose to his celebrated status following his start at Fleet Street which then led to him becoming editor of various UK national newspaper tabloids.

 

This included the Daily Express – where it is believed he helped to increase reader numbers by half a million, the Daily Star (which Mr. Jameson launched in 1978, making it the first new national tabloid for 75 years) and also the now disbanded News of the World.

 

But the man wasn’t always in the good books, with Rupert Murdoch firing him from News of the World in 1984 and leaving him in extreme financial difficulty. Not forgetting the legal bill of £75,000 Mr. Jameson faced due to libel action with Radio 4.

 

Some say broadcasting was responsible for saving Mr. Jameson’s career, owing much to his recognisable voice as he was nick-named ‘prince of prattle’ for his friendly and chatty persona, as mentioned by the Mail Online.

 

Being born in the East End of London and growing up in poverty, Mr. Jameson also faced the difficulty as a child of not having his parents to raise him. It was at the age of 14 that he reportedly began on the first ladder of journalism by being a messenger boy.

 

Mr. Jameson presented TV series ‘Do They Mean Us?’ which can also be added to his accolade.