Tim Gough died on air
(Picture: Twitter)A popular local radio DJ died after he suffered a suspected heart attack as he presented his breakfast show.
Tim Gough, 55, suffered a “catastrophic cardiac episode” after playing The Rolling Stones’ Brown Sugar and dedicating it to Suffolk resident and Stones bassist Bill Wyman at 8.50am on Monday.
The DJ had just got back behind the microphone after a ten years hiatus when the music cut short an hour into his slot being recorded from his home in Lackford.
After a long pause, the music started up again before James Hazell, managing director of GenX Radio Suffolk, came on air to inform 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 Gough’s breakfast show broadcast, he suffered a catastrophic cardiac episode - as it has been described.
“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 program, 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 its happened.”
GenX Radio Suffolk posted on their social media accounts:”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. He was 55 years old.”
Tributes to Mr Gough flooded social media as ex-colleagues and listeners clamoured to celebrate the life of “one of radio’s great gentlemen”.
Greatest Hits South Wales presenter Terry Underhill tweeted: “We worked together in 2010 and I’ve got some very happy memories of the laughs we had. Heartbreaking news and my thoughts are with his son, mother, brother and sister and close friends.”
Paul Chantler added: “I worked with Tim at Smooth Radio Midlands 10 years ago. We used to go for dinners at various expensive Nottingham restaurants. A wonderful man who was very entertaining company.”
His colleague Mark Eley said on Facebook that Mr Gough had died “doing what he loved most”.
“Today is such a very sad day,” he added. “A son, a brother, and a dear friend and colleague from the GenX Radio Suffolk family has been taken from us far too soon.
“Tim leaves behind a huge hole which is impossible to fill and we are all in shock.
“In the short time I have known him, it is clear to see his talent and passion for radio and the knowledge and support that he has shown to others is huge. I have learnt so much from Tim.”
