Tony Blackburn and Ken Bruce lead tributes to Radio 2 legend who died after ‘long illness’

Radio presenters Tony Blackburn and Ken Bruce are among those who’ve paid tribute to BBC Radio producer and Popmaster co-creator Phil Swern, who has died at the age of 76. Ken Bruce described his passing as the “saddest of days”.

Posting on X today (Sunday September 1), the radio DJ said: "It’s the saddest of days as my great friend Phil Swern has passed away. Phil was a brilliantly inventive man with a passion for music. He had a vast career as a record and radio producer, deviser of tv formats and as the guiding light and co-creator of Popmaster. (1/2).

"He was a one-man fount of all pop knowledge, starting his record collection as a boy and still displaying the same enthusiasm into his seventies. Without him, there would be no Popmaster, on radio or tv. He leaves a giant gap in my life and in the lives of so many. (2/2)."

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The official account for Popmaster shared: "Sadly today, we said goodbye to Phil Swern, the Collector for many years the driving force behind Popmaster’s content. His wife Lyndsey was at his side. His favourite song was Nat King Cole's, What a Wonderful World. We will miss our gentle man."

It was Radio 2 host Tony Blackburn who broke the sad news on social media, the Mirror reports. Writing on Facebook, he said: "I am so sad to say that my dear friend of over 60 years Phil The. Collector, Swern passed away yesterday after a long illness. He was very respected in the music business for his music knowledge and professionalism, but above all he was a lovely kind and funny man.

“I was so glad I saw him and his wife Lynsey on Friday and was able to have a final chat with him. He passed away At home with