It was supposed to be a regular day at work for Tim Gough and the rest of his GenX Radio Suffolk team, but things took a turn for the worse on Monday. Around 7:50 in the morning, listeners were interrupted when the music suddenly stopped but resumed a few minutes later.
Several hours later, the station released a statement explaining the delay. “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 while presenting his program,” said GenX Radio Suffolk on their official Twitter.
Gough was allegedly broadcasting live from a studio in his home – in Lackford, Suffolk – when he suffered an apparent heart attack. As news of his passing spread, fans and colleagues paid tribute to one of the greatest radio presenters in British history – he will forever be remembered.
James Hazell, the owner of GenX Radio Suffolk, didn’t hesitate to share his grievances with the public. “To know Tim personally, as I did very closely for over 30 years, was to know a warm, caring, fun guy, who myself and my family, loved dearly. We are heartbroken by the news.”
He added that Gough had spent nearly four decades in the industry, coming out of retirement to help ‘bring local commercial back to his beloved Suffolk’ with Hazell. They had exciting plans together and while Gough is now in a better place, Hazell will honor his legacy moving forward.
“Tim was part of building GenX Radio and I will not allow his hard work to amount to nothing. We are going to create the best radio station we possibly can, that Suffolk is proud of. It will be Tim’s legacy,” said Hazell after early reports suggested he was unsure about the station’s future.
Tim Gough leaves behind his mother, brother, sister, and son – all of whom are asking for privacy as they digest the tragic news. He was 55 years old at the time of his death. According to his biography, he enjoyed ‘traveling, socializing, photography, reading, music, film, and TV.
Fans and Colleagues Pay Tribute to Tim Gough and His Legacy
Tim Gough has touched a lot of people’s hearts during his time behind the mic – which began in 1986 and continued with Radio Orwell, Saxon Radio, and SGR-FM. He eventually retired, but it didn’t last long before he found his most recent home at GenX Radio Suffolk – the rest is history.
His passing garnered a lot of attention, with some calling him a ‘local radio legend.’ Stephen Foster, one of his colleagues at Radio Orwell in the 1980s, said of Gough: “He did such a great job on air on Saxon – his big personality shining through,” adding the two hit it off immediately.
Amy Voce, who works for Virgin Radio UK, voiced her tribute, as well. “He was my first-ever boss in radio at Leicester Sound when I was 18 and was so wonderful. I have the happiest of memories and we always kept in touch, and if it wasn’t for him I might not be in radio.”
The tributes didn’t stop as fans and colleagues alike share their experiences with the late radio presenter – both directly and indirectly. An executive producer at BBC Radio called Gough a ‘super caring and all-round lovely man,’ adding that his death was an ‘awful shock’ to her.
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Tim Gough took GenX Radio Suffolk to new heights when he came out of retirement. He was passionate about the Suffolk community, the same community he was born and raised in, and it showed in his work. Our hearts are with the Gough family and those that were impacted by him.
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