The One Show's Alex Jones pays heartfelt tribute to co-star Andy Kershaw following his death aged 66

The One Show's Alex Jones paid a heartfelt on-air tribute to DJ Andy Kershaw on Friday evening following news of his death aged 66.

The former Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter died after a battle with cancer, his family confirmed earlier in the day.

Closing the BBC programme, Alex took a moment to honour her fellow broadcaster. 

Alex said: 'Before we go, we wanted to take a moment to mention today’s sad news that DJ Andy Kershaw has died. 

'He was best known for Radio 1 and Live Aid, and also presented a number of films for The One Show in the past.

She concluded the tribute with: 'Our thoughts, of course, go out to his family and friends.'

It had been announced in January that the broadcaster had been diagnosed with cancer and was unable to walk.

The DJ said that doctors had discovered tumours in his spine last August, but insisted: 'I am in good spirits, feeling very positive and planning another podcast. 

'I am determined not to die before Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Ant and Dec. That should keep me going for a while.'

Andy's sister Liz Kershaw, also known for her major career in broadcasting, led the heartfelt tributes following his death.

She wrote on X: 'Thank you for all your messages of affection for Our Andrew and kindness today. I’ve lost my best friend.'

Broadcaster Dawn Neesom said: 'So sorry Liz. Thoughts with you xx', whilst former Talksport host Jon Gaunt said: 'Thoughts are with you Liz. Stay strong love Jon'

Rock band The Stranglers wrote on Instagram: 'We're so sorry to hear of the passing of our dear old friend Andy Kershaw. We shared many times together over the years, and his enthusiasm for whatever he was involved in, his intelligence, and extremely sharp wit, were truly infectious. 

'It was always a pleasure to be in his company. There was never a dull moment. Our thoughts are will his family. R.I.P mate..." Sprinter and former Strictly Come Dancing star Iwan Thomas wrote on Instagram: "So sad what a wonderful man.'

His close friend, Peter Everett, said the radio star had been facing serious health struggles since his diagnosis. 

He said: 'My friend Andy has been going through a difficult time. Last August he was diagnosed with cancer, mainly affecting his spine and making him unable to walk.

'Since then he has been undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and a lot of scans and painkillers.

'Although we’ve not been able to put together any podcasts in the last six months, we are very grateful to all the patrons and supporters who have stuck with us.'

Andy spent almost three decades working for BBC, and was best known for his Radio 1 show which ran from 1985 to 2000.

He started his career at the corporation in 1984 as the host of its rock music show Old Grey Whistle Test, and later co-presented the corporation’s television coverage of Live Aid.

The DJ joined Radio 1 as a successor to the late John Peel, and became known for his eclectic taste in music, often featuring non-mainstream sounds on his weekly programme.

Andy also travelled across the world to cover conflicts and cultural stories for the BBC, contributing to Radio 4 shows including From Our Own Correspondent, the Today programme and The World Tonight.

His coverage included the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and reporting from Sierra Leone in 2001 during the final stages of its civil war.

Andy also documented radio diaries from North Korea which, according to the BBC, were among the first programmes to be recorded inside the country.

The Rochdale-born broadcaster received multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards throughout his career, and was celebrated for bringing world music and specialised genres to mainstream radio.

The veteran DJ joined BBC Radio 3 in 2001 but left the post in 2007, having faced a series of personal problems after his long-term relationship broke down and he was jailed after breaking a restraining order.

Andy had a 17-year relationship with restaurateur Juliette Banner and they share two children together, Sonny and Dolly.

The couple moved to the Isle Of Man but split on their first day there in 2006 when she discovered his infidelity with another journalist. 

It was reported: 'The dream turned sour on their first day, when she borrowed his mobile and discovered on it a message from a woman with whom he'd had a one-night stand at the Womad festival ("it alluded to a leg-over in the Reading area").'

Andy wrote in his autobiography, No Off Switch in 2011, that the encounter was of such little significance, he hadn't even bothered to delete the message.

He implied that he is incapable of fidelity, referring to himself as a 'selfish d***head'.

His book is filled with references to beautiful, intelligent women that he couldn't resist, writing things like: 'I treated Melanie, the sweetest and most loving of girlfriends, disgracefully.'

Juliette took out a year long restraining order on Andy after he refused to accept the breakdown in their relationship.

Andy was imprisoned three times – and arrested many more – for breaking the terms of the restraining order that forbade him from contacting her. 

He was given a six-month term suspended for two years after pleading guilty, and left the Isle of Man to address his problems. 

In 2012, he told a judge he had lost everything' after hounding Juliette in the wake of their split.  

He said: 'I have lost my kids. I have lost the woman I love. I have lost everything. It is a very difficult time for me. I just want peace and quiet.'

Yet Andy's prison stint led to him forging the relationship with his girlfriend, Catherine Turner. 

He had originally met and interviewed the financial expert 17 years prior and once he left jail, Catherine suggested he ring her to talk, sparking their romantic relationship.