BBC Radio 1 DJ Andy Peebles has died at the age of 76. His former colleague and friend, fellow DJ and presenter, Mike Read shared the sad news on X this morning. "Devastated to hear the news about our chum Andy Peebles. He was about to join us at Heritage. We joined Radio One together. Knew his music & cricket inside out. Raise your bat & enjoy a long rest in the pavilion. We lunched recently with DLT & Adrian Juste. Great innings." The DJ and presenter was a staple on BBC Radio 1 from 1978 to 1992.

Another friend, radio executive John Simons posted: "So sad to hear the news about Andy Peebles passing. I’ll miss our long conversations about football and soul music, of which he was far more knowledgeable. There’s going to be a Quiet Storm in heaven tonight. RIP Andy." Fans also flooded social emdia with tributes to the star.

"Very sad news indeed," one wrote. "Andy Peebles brilliant DJ in his heyday famous for being the last person to interview John Lennon talented genius.#RIPAndyPeebles," another added.

A third chimed in: "So sad to hear of the passing of former Radio 1 DJ Andy Peebles," followed by a crying emoji.

"Oh dear, sad news that Andy Peebles has passed. The last man to interview John Lennon the night before he was murdered. Andy was expecting a 60 minute regimented slot, as he'd had with David Bowie. John took him out for a meal and a three hour chat. Two craftsmen of their trade," another observed.

"Sad to hear of the passing of Andy Peebles - a fantastic broadcaster. Loved listening to Soul Train back in the 80s."

His famous interview with Beatles star John Lennon and Yoko Ono, aired 6 December 1980 on BBC Radio 1. It proved to be John's last-ever radio interview before he was murdered two days later by Mark David Chapman in the doorway of his New York residence.

"I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life and I'd grown-up not just idolising him but the group and everything they'd done... I felt like he was on top of everything. They seemed very, very happy," he told CBS in 2020.

That wojld be Andy's last TV appearance to date however he is due to appear in an upcoming documentary about John Lennon's last decade, Borrowed Time: Lennon's Last Decade, which is set to hit cinemas later this year.

The star began his radio career in 1973 at BBC Radio Manchester and went on to found independent radio station Piccadilly Radio in Manchester. He joined Radio 1 as a presenter in 1978 and hosted 15 editions of Top of the Pops.

Aside from his radio and TV career Andy was also a renowned cricket commentator, and regularly lent his voice and expertise to fixtures for the BBC.