LEGENDARY TV and radio presenter Paul Barnes has died aged 85.
He worked across the BBC radio network for many years, including Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4, while his television credits include The Village Show, Folio and Anything Goes – all for ITV.
The latter programme saw Paul working alongside a young Anthea Turner.
His wife and fellow broadcaster Helen McDermott said he lived a “full and colourful life”.
She added: “He loved life and whatever he did, TV, Radio or writing, he was a perfectionist.”
The pair also wrote an alternate column every fortnight, for the Norwich Evening News.
It became popular for Paul's strong views and he would often ask:“Have I gone too far this time?”;
EARLY LIFE AND CAREER
Paul was born in Coventry in July 1939. His passion for music was first realised at age 11 when he took up the trumpet and joined the school band.
He would go onto become an enthusiastic record collector and had a particular ear for jazz.
Paul made a point of only ever playing music he personally liked on his shows – even once proclaiming the worst present he ever received was Celine Dion CD.
“He was adamant about this,”; his wife, Helen said.
In his later years he began learning the saxophone.
Helen said: “He would bring it downstairs and set himself up. But as soon as the cats saw the saxophone case, they would be off.”;
Paul had two sons, Matt and Dan, and a granddaughter Eloise.
He worked on Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4, the BBC World Service, Woman’s Hour and the Today programme.
Healso worked for Granada, Central and BBC TV and wrote for the Observer, the Guardian and Punch.
