Radio legend Brian Hayes has died aged 87.
The former BBC and LBC presenter, whose career spanned five decades, was a pioneer in broadcasting as he has been credited with ushering in the modern conversational and confrontational style for phone-ins.
His former LBC colleague Steve Allen revealed the news on X, writing: ‘Brian Hayes has passed away, what a legend RIP.’
Hayes, who was born in Australia, started his career in newspapers and broadcasting, before continuing his growth in the UK in the early 1970s.
He initially started as a producer for Capital Radio when the station launched in 1973, and soon became on-air talent.
Hayes later joined LBC radio as a host of both morning interview and phone-in show, where he was incredibly influential in the development of the format.
He famously explained that callers should be treated as ‘real people with something to say’, noting that the medium needs to sound ‘like a conversation that matters’.
After leaving LBC in 1990, he joined BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show Good Morning UK!
During the 90s, he also fronted the station’s Hayes Over Britain phone-in, which earned him a Gold Sony Radio Award, while he would also have stints on BBC Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live.
In the 2000s, he made his return to LBC for a Sunday night programme, before retiring from full-time broadcasting.
Fans and fellow professionals have paid tribute to Hayes’ legacy.
Journalist and broadcaster Neck Metcalfe wrote on X: ‘Bloody hell, Brian Hayes has died. What a voice. My mum used to call his LBC show in the 80s.
‘Did shock jocking before it was a thing in Britain really. A broadcaster with genuine authority and gravitas. RIP Brian.’
Aidan Radnedge added: ‘Ah, RIP Brian Hayes. Was a keen listener here each morning in student days way back when to Five Live morning phone-ins, Diana Modill then Nicky Campbell, and also his semi-regular stints stepping in, seeming sterner with guests/callers but warmth for pacy and penetrating debate.’
And listener Sandy Walker recalled: ‘R.I.P. radio presenter Brian Hayes. He kept the family amused and informed, late 70s/80s listening to LBC.’
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