Annie Nightingale, the first female DJ on BBC Radio 1, passes away at 83 image The music world mourns the loss of Annie Nightingale MBE, a pioneering and influential British DJ and radio presenter who died at 83.

Her family announced her death today, January 12th, saying she passed away yesterday at her London home after a brief illness.

“Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many,” the family statement said. “She never lost her passion for sharing music with audiences around the world through her six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio. She was a role model for countless young women who, like Annie, wanted to break barriers and express themselves through music.”

Annie Nightingale was born in Middlesex on April 1st, 1941. She started her career in TV and newspapers before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1970, becoming the first female DJ on the station after a ban was lifted. She was the only woman on the air for 12 years, moving from an afternoon slot to an evening one, where she had more creative control over the music selection.

In the 1980s, Nightingale embraced electronic music, introducing listeners to genres such as acid house, breaks, techno, and later, grime, EDM and more. Her popular show Annie Nightingale presents… aired weekly until last Sunday, making her the longest-serving DJ on BBC Radio 1. She also DJed frequently at clubs and festivals across the UK and Europe, such as Glastonbury, Snowbombing and Glade.