Broadcasting legend Danny Kelly dies aged 69 after cancer battle

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 14:45 · Archive

talkSPORT presenter Danny Kelly has died at 69 following treatment for oesophageal cancer, which forced him to step back from broadcasting in March.

Danny Kelly, the sports broadcaster and journalist, has died aged 69 after a battle with oesophageal cancer, which he was diagnosed with in March this year.

Kelly stepped away from his long-standing role at talkSPORT in March following his diagnosis. In August, he provided an update to fans revealing his treatment had 'definitely not gone to plan'. He disclosed that he had been hospitalised seven times, including spending time in intensive care. He noted that one of the rare syndromes affecting him was so uncommon that his tests had to be sent to London for expert analysis.

talkSPORT announced Kelly's death on Wednesday morning. In a statement, the broadcaster said: 'We are heartbroken to share that our much-loved friend and colleague Danny Kelly has died, aged 69. A cherished part of talkSPORT for so many years, Danny brought extraordinary wit, warmth and knowledge to our airwaves. His passion for football, music and life was infectious, and his kindness touched everyone around him.'

Kelly joined talkSPORT in 2007 and presented shows including Trans-Europe Express, Kick Off and Sporting Life. He also became a presenter on The Athletic's Tottenham podcast The View From The Lane. Before his broadcasting career took off, Kelly edited two major music publications: the NME and Q magazine. He also launched the Football 365 website and presented shows for the BBC, including radio programmes in the 1990s alongside Danny Baker.

Fellow broadcaster Danny Baker led tributes to Kelly. He wrote on social media: 'My great friend, supreme broadcaster and funniest man I ever knew, Danny Kelly, died yesterday afternoon. I cannot believe I will never hear his voice again.' Former Crystal Palace owner and talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan said Kelly was 'a brilliant broadcaster, editor, writer and friend', adding that 'the reason I'm able to broadcast is because of Danny'.

Tottenham Hotspur, Kelly's lifelong club, paid emotional tribute. A statement said: 'The entire Tottenham family mourns the loss of one of our own, broadcasting legend Danny Kelly. Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Danny.' BBC Radio 5 Live's George Cummins described Kelly as having 'an extraordinary knowledge of music and football' and praised his ability to combine the two on air, saying his 'brilliant wit made him an amazing story teller'.

How it is being reported

• Football Daily | Mauricio Pochettino readies his jungle outfit for another big adventureSign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! The journalist and broadcaster Danny Kelly, who helped define coverage of music and football in the UK for a generation, has died aged 69 . Kelly edited the NME and Q Magazine and launched the Football 365 website before going on to be a presenter and pundit on the BBC and TalkSport. He had been receiving treatment for oesophageal cancer. Tributes were led by Kelly’s longstanding broadcast partner Danny Baker. “My great friend, supreme broadcaster and funniest man I ever knew, Danny Kelly, died yesterday afternoon,” Baker wrote on social…Guardian Sport · 11 Nov, 13:58
• Former BBC radio presenter Kelly dies aged 69Former BBC radio presenter Danny Kelly has been described as a "broadcasting titan" following his death at the age of 69.BBC Sport · 11 Nov, 12:44
• Danny Kelly, football broadcaster and renowned editor, dies aged 69Danny Baker pays tribute to the ‘funniest man I knew’ Kelly was former editor of the NME and Q magazines Danny Kelly, the renowned sport and music journalist, has died at the age of 69. A statement from TalkSport, who he joined in 2007 and for whom he broadcast regularly until stepping away in March after being diagnosed with throat cancer, read: “We are heartbroken to share that our much-loved friend and colleague Danny Kelly has died, aged 69. A cherished part of talkSPORT for so many years, Danny brought extraordinary wit, warmth and knowledge to our airwaves. His passion for football…The Guardian · 11 Nov, 11:56
• Beloved football broadcaster Danny Kelly dies aged 69Widely popular on radio, with a long spell at talkSport, Kelly, a lifelong Tottenham fan, confirmed he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer earlier this yearIndependent Sport · 11 Nov, 11:12
• Danny Kelly dies aged 69 as tributes paid to legendary sports presenterDanny Kelly, a long-time presenter on talkSPORT, has passed away aged 69 following a battle with throat cancerThe Mirror · 11 Nov, 11:08
• Danny Kelly dead at 69: Broadcasting legend passes away just eight months after stepping back from radio work with oesophagus cancertalkSPORT presenter Danny Kelly has died at the age of 69, the broadcaster has announced.Daily Mail Sport · 11 Nov, 11:03

In this story: Danny Kelly · talkSPORT · Tottenham Hotspur · Danny Baker · NME · Q magazine · BBC

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log