Mike Smith 1955-2014

[Steve_uk]

Mike Smith,the Radio 1 DJ who seemed at one time to have everything going for him with his blond hair and natural good looks has died aged 59 as a result of complications from heart surgery. A school dropout but by no means anyone's fool,he worked in hospital radio before moving to London Capital Radio and therefrom hosted the BBC's main music show of the 1970s and 80s Top of the Pops. His versatility and ubiquitousness saw him chair shows from That's Showbusiness(1986),The Big Breakfast,Friday's People,Live Aid and Comic Relief.

His health problems may have started when the helicopter he piloted crashed in the grounds of his Gloucestershire home in 1988,which left him and his girlfriend Sarah Greene,whom he subsequently married, badly injured. His vivacity and his depth of knowledge was hidden behind a smooth,calm exterior,having the knack of making a difficult job appear remarkably easy. I think he remained until the end his own person and I will miss him.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28623367