talkSPORT Presenter and Former NME Editor Danny Kelly Dies at 69

Danny Kelly, the former editor of NME and Q magazine who became one of the best known voices on talkSPORT, has died at the age of 69. The station announced his death on Wednesday during its White and Jordan show. The Sun also reported his death on Wednesday.

talkSPORT said Kelly first joined the station in 2007 and fronted its Euro 2008 coverage, establishing himself as one of the most familiar voices on sports radio. Most recently he presented the Trans Europe Express show and appeared regularly on Hawksbee and Jacobs. He stepped away from the airwaves in March after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

In a statement posted on X and reported by The Sun, talkSPORT wrote: "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."

From music magazines to sports radio

Kelly was born in Islington, London, on December 23, 1956, to Irish parents. He began writing for the music weekly New Musical Express, known as NME, in about 1983 and edited the magazine from the late 1980s to 1992. He later edited the music monthly Q and was named British Magazine Editor of the Year for his work there. He also launched the sports monthly Total Sport.

In the mid 1990s he hosted Under the Moon, a late night television sports chat show. In 1997 he founded the 365 Corporation, best known for the football website Football365. He later helped launch The Times newspaper's first weekly podcast, The Game, and presented sports shows on BBC London. Since August 2021 he had also presented the Tottenham Hotspur podcast The View From The Lane for The Athletic. The Sun reported that he was a passionate Tottenham supporter.

talkSPORT recalled one moment that summed him up for listeners. While presenting alongside Stan Collymore during the 4-4 draw between Tottenham and Arsenal in 2008, Kelly leapt out of his chair at Aaron Lennon's late equaliser and shouted: "I love football, Stan. I love it."

His last appearance

Kelly made his last talkSPORT appearance in March, before treatment for cancer. The Sun reported that in that final appearance he urged listeners to get checked by a doctor if they suspected something was wrong, saying the earlier an illness is caught, the better the chances of treatment.

talkSPORT said his warmth and passion for broadcasting would be sorely missed, and that he had time for everyone at the station. The station said: "The talkSPORT family sends its deepest condolences to Danny's friends and family. Tributes will follow."