Biography

Anne Nightingale

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Anne Nightingale was born on April 1, 1940 in Osterley, west London, England, UK. She was an actress and writer, known for The Life of Rock with Brian Pern (2014), Late Night in Concert (1982) and Annie Nightingale: Bird on the Wireless (2011). She was married to Binky Baker and Gordon Thomas. She died on January 11, 2024 in London, England, UK.

She was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2001 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to radio broadcasting.
Nightingale became Britain's first female disc jockey after joining BBC Radio 1 in February 1970. She was also the station's longest serving broadcaster, celebrating 50 years of service in 2020.
Son Alex Thomas, an agent for the music duo The Chemical Brothers (2008), used to manage the rock band Primal Scream.
Counted longtime BBC Radio 1 colleague John Peel as her career soulmate, a friend in whom she could intimately confide.
Merited a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest career as a female BBC radio presenter (1970-2010). The award was presented to her by Liam Gallagher (from the rock band Oasis) at Radio 1's London Studios (September 2010).

On being awarded the MBE in 2001: I once gave Prince Charles a copy of the Orb's latest album. Maybe it got to him more than I realized.
When I received the MBE in 2002, it was a riot. Literally, snipers on the roof of Buckingham Palace; it was May Day, the then annual day for legal protesting. But it all got out of hand. All the streets were cordoned off, police horses and riot shields everywhere. I'd organised a party to celebrate, near Radio1. We had to stay inside the bar all day and evening. Anyone who ventured outside got kettled.
[on turning eighty] People were sending me messages. I didn't care. I don't see any significance in the zeros. It's not anything to do with me. I happen to be alive. My dad and my uncle both had long lives, so maybe it's just genetics. I don't know. I'm not being blasé about it. I'm very fortunate. I love life. I'm a news fanatic. I want to know what's going on. Why stop?
Who wants safe and bland? Let's have excitement and danger and all that stuff.

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