Stars Mourn Death of BBC Veteran Richard Cartridge – What Happened?
Social media has been flooded with tributes for BBC Radio veteran Richard Cartridge who passed away at the age of 72 after a brief illness.
The world of British journalism and radio was thrown into mourning after one of its veteran Richard Cartridge passed away at the age of 72. The radio legend who served at BBC Radio Solent for almost five decades reportedly died after a brief illness.
The station confirmed the news of his demise on Saturday through their Twitter account where they paid him tribute. They praised Cartridge for graciously entertaining the South-on air for 46 years and extended their condolences to his loved ones.
Former BBC Radio Solent and 2CR FM presenter Richard Cartridge has died after a short illness - just weeks after retiring from the airwaves.https://t.co/vzPRH947rA
— Dorset Echo (@Dorsetecho) August 22, 2020
Cartridge’s shocking death came about two months after he retired from the radio station after working there for 46 years.
TRIBUTES POUR IN FROM STARS
Since the shocking announcement, stars all over the journalism sphere have taken to social media to pay their tributes to the legend.
His colleague and former BBC Radio Solent mid-morning presenter, Sasha Twinning led the tribute with nothing but kind words for the late radio star.
We are deeply sad to announce that our dear friend Richard Cartridge has passed away following a short illness
— BBC Radio Solent (@BBCRadioSolent) August 22, 2020
Richard entertained the South on-air for over 46 years. Thank you Rich
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be deeply missed pic.twitter.com/yxSvkOwS5m
She described the veteran as “kind, fun, erudite” and recalled how he was all anyone could talk about when she first resumed at the station.
Twinning sympathized with his family and loved ones and urged his beloved fans to listen a tribute put together by the tea before writing:
“Rest in peace, Richard. May your headphones never crackle, your needle never jump, and your final song always hit the perfect back time. You will be much missed x”
So very sad to hear the wonderful, kind, fun, erudite, broadcasting giant, Richard Cartridge, has died. The gentleman of the studio, the warm wit, the twinkle in his eye, and the moment he had for everyone. When I first joined @BBCRadioSolent all anyone said was ‘Have you
— sasha twining (@SashaTwining) August 22, 2020
Jason Horton also had sweet things to say about the late presenter calling him warm-hearted and generous. It was a similar tribute from Sally Taylor and Jon Cuthill who echoed Cartridge’s kindness and uncanny humor that warmed fans’ hearts.
What a lovely, funny,kind and talented gentleman who is greatly missed by everyone. Incredibly sad ...I will hold on to the lovely memories I have of Richard Cartridge @BBCRadioSolent pic.twitter.com/94evgvUbtZ
— Sally Taylor (@SallyTaylor_tv) August 22, 2020
Breakfast presenter at BBC Radio Solent, Louisa Hannan described the 72-year-old as a complete gentleman and reiterated how much the world would miss him while DJ Neil Sackley wrote:
“His laughter was always genuine, and we often tried to make each other laugh at the most inappropriate times. Proper gentleman and a real honour to work with.”
The station shared a heartwarming behind-the-scenes video from 2015 of Richard at work.
So sad to hear my old friend and colleague Richard Cartridge has passed away.
— 🎧 Neil Sackley 📻 (@djneilsackley) August 22, 2020
His laughter was always genuine and we often tried to make each other laugh at the most inappropriate times. Proper gentleman and a real honour to work with. pic.twitter.com/mDU57Hf52n
HE WAS A RADIO PRESENTER FOR 46 YEARS
Cartridge’s shocking death came about two months after he retired from the radio station after working there for 46 years. He first joined the local station for Hamshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, in 1972 and soon became listeners’ favorite.
Known as Mr Radio Solent, Cartridge called the station his spiritual home and was one of their longest-serving presenters. Although he briefly left the station in 2010 after some presenters were culled, a petition by fans reinstated him shortly.
Richard Cartridge first joined BBC Radio Solent in 1972
— BBC Radio Solent (@BBCRadioSolent) August 22, 2020
An iconic voice across the South ❤️
Here he gave us a behind the scenes look of his show in 2015 👇 pic.twitter.com/WmFsTWp5jZ
In his almost five decades on radio, Cartridge also served at 2CR FM and Classic FM, giving his best at every job. He was also a writer for the Southern Daily Echo.
HIS PERSONAL TRAGEDIES
It will be recalled that in 2005, the iconic radio presenter suffered a huge loss when his 29-year-old son James passed away. James, Richard’s son, with his first wife, was found dead outside his home in Dorset shortly after returning from work.
James, a chef, was seen lying lifeless at the bottom of the stairs. While bravely overcoming his son’s demise, the popular host also grappled with a mental health battle which he eventually revealed while on-air in 2013.
All morning we have been reflecting on the life and career of our great friend Richard Cartridge.
— BBC Radio Solent (@BBCRadioSolent) August 24, 2020
Hear his final show: https://t.co/HztQB7vkc2 pic.twitter.com/5ozi5Tbm9N
Richard confirmed that he had bipolar disorder and was diagnosed in 1997 after splitting from his second wife. He, however, received adequate treatment and remained in a great mental space until his demise.
