BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley has received an outpouring of support following the death of her father, Martin, who she described as “the kindest man.” Whiley shared the news on social media on Tuesday night, accompanied by photos and videos reflecting their time together.

The broadcaster revealed that Martin had been living with Parkinson’s disease, a diagnosis she called “heartbreaking” during a recent episode of her Dig It podcast. In her social media post, Whiley paid tribute to her father’s selflessness and his joy in caring for others, saying he lived to make people happy and had a gift for making others laugh.

Whiley credited her father with fostering her passion for music, recalling how he would carry a large ghetto blaster while working as an electrician on building sites. She described him as the “OG DJ” and noted his enduring enthusiasm for bands like Elbow, Coldplay, and Dido.

Messages of sympathy and admiration for Martin flowed in from fans, friends, and colleagues. Among those offering condolences were television writer Russell T Davies, broadcaster Kate Garraway, and chef Jamie Oliver. Many praised Martin’s character and influence, echoing Whiley’s reflections on his remarkable personality and kindness.