Tributes paid as BBC presenter John Randall dies

BBC Radio Guernsey presenter John Randall has died at the age of 68 following a short illness.

He was a familiar voice with listeners having joined the team 25 years ago to present the station's first dedicated local afternoon show.

His broadcasting career started well before that though, having first appeared on Offshore Radio in 1988.

Four years later he helped set up the island's first full-time commercial station, Island FM.

More recently he presented an evening show on Mondays and Fridays, and a Sunday afternoon show across Guernsey and Jersey.

Reflecting on his 25 years of service with the BBC in June, Randall said his work had brought him closer to the community.

"I like going out and doing all the fun bits, like the Donkey Derby," he said.

"I love raising money for charities. I love helping people, I really do.

"I give up my own time to do it and it's fun. It's meeting people as well and putting smiles on faces which is what I enjoy doing."

BBC Guernsey executive producer Michelle Daniel said Randall was "one of a kind".

Reflecting on a time she mentioned needing a second hand washing machine, she said: "He got the word out and the next thing I knew one was being delivered to the house. He loved nothing more than helping people.

"At work he embraced the role of being our ambassador in the community. He loved BBC Guernsey and the people that work here and we loved him back.

"A huge part of us will always be missing."

During his life he helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities, including BBC Children in Need.

He regularly supported other local causes hosting major island events, often acting as an auctioneer.

BBC Guernsey's Isla Blatchford said his "generosity with his time, support and enthusiasm proved invaluable" and helped her raise almost £40,000 for various charities over the last two decades.

"I think one of the best things about John was his ability to get people on board to help raise money for all sorts of causes," she said.

"He could talk anyone into anything it seemed."

Stephanie Marshall, senior head of content production for the West, South West and Channel Islands, said Randall was a "kind and generous man, who would light up any room".

She continued: "For more than a quarter of a century, John's voice has been heard across the region, and it's hard to imagine anyone on the Channel Islands who wouldn't recognise his distinctive style.

"He will be deeply missed, and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time."

Offshore Radio co-founder Richard Bird remembered helping Randall get his first radio gig.

"He actually started as a mobile DJ and worked for me and he was very much at home with it straight away," he said.

"With Offshore Radio, John became the first voice heard on commercially-based radio in the Channel Islands, not just Guernsey.

"It all came so easy to him and he did things his way - 'Randall the Vandal' we called him."

Darren Ogier, who knew Randall through Guernsey's bar billiards scene, said he was a "great bloke".

"He was a chirpy chap who always had a story to tell," Ogier added.

"He'd just lighten up the room as soon as he walked in."

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