Keith Fordyce
Encyclopedia
Keith Fordyce was an English
disc jockey
and former presenter on British radio and television. He is most famous as the first presenter of ITV's Ready Steady Go! in 1963, but was a stalwart of both BBC radio and Radio Luxembourg for many years.
and later studied law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge
. He first came to the attention of British radio listeners when he arrived at Radio Luxembourg
in 1955 to become a staff announcer in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg where he was later joined by Barry Alldis
.
Fordyce later worked for the BBC
Light Programme in the 1960s, with such programmes as the lunchtime Pop In show, and went on to host the television talent show Thank Your Lucky Stars
On 9 August 1963 he presented the first edition of Ready Steady Go!
on Associated Rediffusion television, being joined subsequently by the young, modish Cathy McGowan
who took over the show when Fordyce left in 1965.
In 1968 he provided the commentary for the BBC's first colour test transmission on BBC 2, the first men's singles final of the Open era at Wimbledon
.
In the early 80s, he rejoined Radio Luxembourg in the Grand Duchy after Barry Alldis's death, working in the Villa Louvigny again for six months.
On 12 February 1983 he was the first presenter of Radio 2's Sounds of the '60s. He also hosted Radio 2's Beat The Record for many years. He later hosted a record programme on west of England local radio. Prior to his retirement Fordyce worked for the BBC Regional service in Devon, based at the Radio Devon studios, doing regular weekend shows.
and Alzheimer's Disease
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and former presenter on British radio and television. He is most famous as the first presenter of ITV's Ready Steady Go! in 1963, but was a stalwart of both BBC radio and Radio Luxembourg for many years.
Career
Born Keith Fordyce Marriott in Lincoln, he attended Lincoln SchoolLincoln Christ's Hospital School
Lincoln Christ's Hospital School is a state comprehensive school for 11-18 year olds located on Wragby Road in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.-Admissions:Its student population is just under 1400, including over 300 in the sixth form...
and later studied law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
. He first came to the attention of British radio listeners when he arrived at Radio Luxembourg
Radio Luxembourg (English)
Radio Luxembourg is a commercial broadcaster in many languages from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is nowadays known in most non-English languages as RTL ....
in 1955 to become a staff announcer in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg where he was later joined by Barry Alldis
Barry Alldis
Barry Alldis was an Australian-born presenter on British radio, most notably on the English service of Radio Luxembourg, otherwise known as "208, Your Station of the Stars"...
.
Fordyce later worked for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Light Programme in the 1960s, with such programmes as the lunchtime Pop In show, and went on to host the television talent show Thank Your Lucky Stars
Thank Your Lucky Stars (TV series)
Thank Your Lucky Stars was a British television pop music show made by ABC Television, and broadcast on ITV from 1961 to 1966. Many of the top bands performed on it, and for millions of British teenagers it was essential viewing...
On 9 August 1963 he presented the first edition of Ready Steady Go!
Ready Steady Go!
Ready Steady Go! or simply RSG! was one of the UK's first rock/pop music TV programmes. It was conceived by Elkan Allan, head of Rediffusion TV. Allan was assisted by record producer/talent manager Vicki Wickham, who became the producer. It was broadcast from August 1963 until December 1966...
on Associated Rediffusion television, being joined subsequently by the young, modish Cathy McGowan
Cathy McGowan
Cathy McGowan is a British broadcaster and journalist, presenter from 1964-6 of Rediffusion television’s rock music show, Ready Steady Go!-Ready Steady Go!:...
who took over the show when Fordyce left in 1965.
In 1968 he provided the commentary for the BBC's first colour test transmission on BBC 2, the first men's singles final of the Open era at Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
.
In the early 80s, he rejoined Radio Luxembourg in the Grand Duchy after Barry Alldis's death, working in the Villa Louvigny again for six months.
On 12 February 1983 he was the first presenter of Radio 2's Sounds of the '60s. He also hosted Radio 2's Beat The Record for many years. He later hosted a record programme on west of England local radio. Prior to his retirement Fordyce worked for the BBC Regional service in Devon, based at the Radio Devon studios, doing regular weekend shows.
Personal life
Fordyce retired in Devon with his wife Anne. He founded the Torbay Aircraft Museum in the 1970s. He died on 15 March 2011 aged 82 after suffering from pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
.