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Press Releases
Tributes to Jonathan Witchell
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Jonathan Witchell, 91Èȱ¬ Radio Kent broadcast journalist, passed away on Saturday 15 December following a short illness. He was 33.
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Jonathan joined Radio Kent nearly 10 years ago and very quickly became a firm favourite, gaining great affection from both listeners and colleagues.
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Born and raised in Kent, Jonathan studied at Salford University before completing a Masters degree at Stirling University.
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Jonathan ignited his passion for broadcasting with Hospital Radio Bromley, leading to a career which would not only take him across the country but also overseas.
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He started his 91Èȱ¬ career as a broadcast assistant at 91Èȱ¬ Radio Devon, before moving to 91Èȱ¬ Radio Lincolnshire.
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In 1998 Jonathan landed at Radio Kent and, not content with limiting his broadcasting skills to just one programme, he became a regular contributor to the station at all hours of the day and night.
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Many listeners will first remember Jonathan cutting his teeth as Barbara Sturgeon's roving reporter, before moving on to bring his own brand of presenting to the late afternoon programme.
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For many years he produced the Saturday Carry-On with Paul James and Paul Harris – where his outside broadcast trips to France with the boys became an annual event.
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Regular listeners will also remember his Sunday afternoon programme which saw Jonathan interviewing an array of local celebrities in the Music Room.
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Behind the scenes, Jonathan was also responsible for some of the most memorable highlights of the station's output. His documentary about James Bond in Kent won him the accolade of Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year.
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This summer he masterminded a unique collaboration between presenters Dave Cash and Johnnie Walker to mark the 40th anniversary of the abolition of pirate radio.
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Last year, Jonathan spent a year abroad – working with new journalists in Sri Lanka. This led to him working on the 91Èȱ¬ World Service where his reports were heard by millions around the world.
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Paying tribute to Jonathan, Radio Kent Managing Editor, Paul Leaper, said: "This has been one of the hardest weeks in Radio Kent's history. Jonathan will be remembered as someone who loved Kent and loved radio. He had creative flair and scrupulous attention to detail.
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"He was simply one of the station's best all-rounders. I know he'll be sorely missed by all his colleagues and listeners to 91Èȱ¬ Radio Kent. Our hearts to go out to his family at this difficult time."
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Details of Jonathan's funeral are yet to be confirmed. However, if listeners wish to offer their condolences, Radio Kent will pass them on his family.
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Please write to 91Èȱ¬ Radio Kent, The Great Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1QQ, or email radio.kent@bbc.co.uk.
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