Tragic radio DJ, 55, played downcast Madness song about a ‘weary day’ before he died on air
A DJ who died on air today was playing a downbeat Madness song about a “weary day” at the time.
GenX Radio Suffolk host Tim Gough, 55, was an hour into his breakfast programme when the popular ska band’s song Grey Day suddenly came to an end.
The music resumed a few minutes later but Mr Gough, who had been speaking just moments earlier, did not return and later the station confirmed he had died.
It’s thought Mr Gough suffered a fatal heart attack while on air.
At the start of his show, the DJ had wished his listeners a good morning and was excited for the station which was launching on DAB the following week.
He gave a weather update across Suffolk and was chatting about famous couples who had married in Bury over the years.
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The dad-of-one spoke his final words after spinning the Rolling Stones’ Brown Sugar, saying that it was the birthday of bassist Bill Wyman, who lives in Suffolk.
GenX Radio Suffolk’s managing director James Hazell was on air from 9am and just before 11am he told listeners of the “devastating blow”.
He said: “I speak to you this morning with frankly some tragic, tragic news.
“At ten to eight this morning in the middle of Tim Cough’s breakfast show broadcast, he suffered a catastrophic cardiac episode – as it has been described.
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“Despite the best efforts of the paramedics, who were on site very quickly, some 20 25 minutes doing what they could to revive to – it was not to be.
“It was in the middle of his programme, he was doing something he loved to do.”
He added: “I really have no words at this stage, he was 55-years-old, very healthy. Who knows why these things happened, but it’s happened.”
A spokesman said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to inform you, our dear friend and breakfast host Tim Gough passed away this morning whilst presenting his program.
“Our love to his family, son, sister, brother and mum.
“Tim was doing what he loved.”
Local media suggests he died of a suspected heart attack while presenting at his home in Lackford, Suffolk, at 7.50am today.
He has since been described as a “warm, caring, fun guy” who was “loved dearly” by those who knew him.
Mr Hazell said Tim was “a hugely experienced and highly talented broadcaster with an army of fans for his daily programme”.
He added: “To know Tim personally, as I did very closely for over 30 years, was to know a warm, caring, fun guy who myself and my family loved dearly.
“We are heartbroken by the news.”
To know Tim personally was to know a warm, caring, fun guy who myself and my family loved dearly.
James Hazell
Fellow presenter Lottie Pook said: “I’m devastated. Tim taught me how to radio and I will miss him dearly.”
And listener David K Game added: “Local radio legend. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
“When the auto-backup kicked in I’d like to think he’d have found it funny that it played ‘Play that funky music ’till I die’ twice in the hour after he passed.
“RIP Tim – you will be sorely missed by all your listeners.”
Tim launched his broadcasting career at Radio Orwell in Ipswich in 1986.
The dad went on to host the breakfast show on Saxon Radio and SGR-FM, as well as appearing on Smooth Radio and other stations in the East Midlands.
He then secured the breakfast slot at GenX Radio Suffolk for his first time behind a microphone in over a decade.
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Tim was an avid Norwich City supporter and enjoyed long walks in the countryside with his Labrador Cooper.
He is survived by his mother, brother, sister and son, East Anglian Daily Times reports.