RADIO BROADCASTER BRIAN MATTHEW DIES AT 88

Matthew introduced the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to a TV audience and hosted radio programme Sounds Of The 60s for 27 years.

Veteran broadcaster Brian Matthew has died aged 88, his family has said.

Matthew was once dubbed Britain's oldest DJ, having worked at the BBC from 1954 to 2016, hosting Radio 2's Sounds Of The 60s since 1990.

As a TV presenter on Thank Your Lucky Stars, Matthews introduced the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to a television audience.

Last week, the BBC wrongly announced his death, releasing a statement on behalf of the family saying that the presenter had died.

It then issued a second statement, saying: "We were informed by close family and friends that Brian had passed away in the night. They have since been in contact to say that he remains critically ill.

"Our thoughts remain with his family at this very difficult time."

Image: Former Radio 2 DJ Brian Matthew pictured in 1962

Born in September 1928 in the town of Coventry, the veteran broadcaster began his radio career in the army, working as a programme presenter and newsreader on the British Forces Network in post-war Germany.

He was axed by the BBC earlier this year against his wishes, while he was off the show recovering from a fall.

He was succeeded by Tony Blackburn, and eventually invited back for a series of specials after a petition was signed by 5,000 people to get him back on air.

"I was ready and willing and able to go back," he said at the time.

"I enjoyed doing the show very much. I did it for 25 years. I feel very disconcerted, I must say."

He went back to the BBC and presented his final radio show on 25 February 2017.