Famous DJs & Radio Presenters with Disabilities

I have always had an interest in radio, and have been a DJ myself; in 1987, I was on the North Derbyshire pirate station Radio Nemesis, and in the late 1980s I was to be heard - under the DJ name Al Capone - on various Birmingham pirate stations (eg Quest FM and BWR). In 1993, I started the Radio Ability project. I started the Radio Ability project. My radio broadcasting involvement seemed to have ended in 1997, following a DTI raid on Starforce FM in Clowne. However, thanks to the rise in internet radio, Radio Ability returned briefly during 2005-2006 and a future return has not been ruled out. Read more here. (Anthony Karl Page, the Red Disability webmaster)
Below, I list a number of DJs - some famous, some best known among fans of pirate (and other) radio - all disabled in some way ...

Alan Freeman

Disability: arthritis (source: BBCi News article)

Started as a DJ on Radio Luxembourg in the 1950's

Most famous for BBC Radio 1 programme Pick Of The Pops

(now on Radio 2 on Saturday afternoons).

• Profile on Radio Academy Hall of Fame

Stuart Henry

Disability: multiple sclerosis, used a wheelchair as a result

Started his broadcasting career on the offshore pirate radio stations of the 1960's, notably Radio Scotland.

Was a DJ on BBC Radio 1 in the early 70's, until he started to develop Multiple Sclerosis.

From the late 1970s until well into the 1980's, was on Radio Luxembourg 208 - during which time his broadcasts regularly made efforts to increase people's awareness of MS.

Many of his Radio Luxembourg broadcasts were made with his wife, Ollie Henry.

His interest in pirate radio continued throughout his life ; in the late 1980's, he produced a book called "Pirate Radio - Then And Now"

Sadly, he died in 1996.

• Radio Rewind Stuart Henry profile
• Radio Academy Hall of Fame feature

Becky Measures

Disability: Had both breasts removed, to eliminate high risk of breast cancer. (source: NHBC website)

DJ on Chesterfield and North Derbyshire ILR Peak FM

• Becky Measures' official site
• Becky Measures' profile on Peak FM website
• Becky's story on the NHBC website

John Peel

Disability: diabetes

Started his broadcasting career in the USA, back in 1961. First heard in the UK in 1967, when he was a DJ on the offshore pirate Radio London (aka "Big L"). Was on BBC Radio 1 from 1967 until his death in 2004. Well known for his genuine interest in the music, and his willingness to play alternative music on his shows.

• Keeping It Peel on BBC Radio 1 site
• John Peel tribute on Pirate Radio Hall of Fame
• Wikipedia article on John Peel

• Tiger Tim Stevens info on Clyde 2 website
• Wikipedia entry on Tiger Tim Stevens
• MS News article on Tiger Tim Stevens
• Scotsman: FM's 'Tiger Tim' rocks on

James Whale

Disability: dyslexia (source: British Dyslexia Association hall of fame)

• Started in the late 1980's on Leeds-based ILR Radio Aire.
• His radio show was later networked across many ILR stations, and became a TV show also.
• In the early 1990's, James Whale was also on Atlantic 252 for a time.

Website: Whale World

Steve Wright

disability: asthma (source: Disabled Celebrities)

Most famous for his Steve Wright In The Afternoon show on BBC Radio 1 in the 1980's.

Also made a few records, including Arnee & The Terminators I'll Be Back.

Now moved to BBC Radio 2.

• about Steve Wright's show on BBC Radio 2
• Steve Wright on Radio Rewind site

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