A BBC radio presenter who revealed live on air that he had terminal cancer has died just one month after bravely telling listeners about his illness.
Tragic Andy Potter, 55, shocked fans when he said the disease had spread to his bowel, liver and kidneys on the breakfast show on January 25.
Broadcasting from his hospital bed, he said: “I honestly didn’t know how to deal with it, when someone tells you this is the end of your life.
“I even told the consultant ‘I suppose I have had better days’.
“It is in a few places in my body, including my bowels, and I have been told I have just months left.
“My wife and son were, of course, the first people to hear the news but I wanted to get it out there to those who listen to my show and those who know me.
“It means that I won’t be going back to work at BBC Radio Derby.”
The popular Radio Derby DJ who joined the station in 1999 died surrounded by his family at Royal Derby Hospital in the early hours of Sunday (26/2).
In a family statement, his wife Anne and children Amy and Simon praised his “tremendous” courage in fighting the disease.
They said: “During the last seven days, as his condition advanced, myself, Amy his daughter, and Anne his wife of 25 years, have sat by his side 24 hours every day, helping him face what is an evil disease.
“He has taken each day as it came and dealt with everything that has been thrown at him.
“The messages, cards and mentions of him were passed onto him, every message, comment and ‘like’ sent from those that knew him got to him, and from the bottom of our hearts thank you.
“People’s love for him, the beautiful words and unbelievable kindness that we have witnessed is beyond words and will not be forgotten.
“Andy is so many different things to so many different people, including radio presenter, friend, interviewer, colleague, journalist, printer, volunteer or one of a thousand others.
“To us though he holds the simplest yet most important titles amongst them all, my dad, grandad and my Andy, and we will miss him every day.
“We urge you to please take that image of him that you personally have, think about it, think about talking to him, think about the words spoken and please remember him, and just simply smile.”
The family also thanked staff and volunteers at the Nightingale MacMillan Unit of Derby Royal Hospital for their “compassion”.
Presenter Ian Skye broke the news of Potter’s death to devastated listeners on his breakfast show yesterday (Mon).
Simon Cornes, BBC Radio Derby editor, said: “Andy is going to be deeply missed by all his friends at Radio Derby as well as the thousands of listeners who regularly tuned into his programmes.
“He’s been a big part of the station for many years and it’s hard to imagine the place without him.
“He was a Derby man through and through and a great champion of the city’s arts scene.
“If there was an event taking place in Derby it was a pretty safe bet that Andy would be there and a good chance that he’d be hosting it.
“Our thoughts are with Andy’s loved ones at this difficult time.”
Fans also paid tribute on social media with Andrew Walker tweeting: “Such sad news on hearing of the passing of Andy potter.
“A wonderful man who i had the pleasure of meeting on his radio show.”
Gareth Tibbles added: “Sorry to hear the sad news of the death of BBC Derby’s own Andy Potter. Will be missed by so many.”
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