Tributes have been paid following the death of “radio legend” Trevor Campbell.
The popular Northern Ireland presenter, known affectionately as Big T, passed away in hospital after a short illness. He was 78.
He was a familiar voice on the airwaves with Downtown Radio for decades.
Downtown announced the news this afternoon.
The station said: “We’re incredibly saddened to announce that our friend and colleague Trevor Campbell has passed away at the age of 78.
“We will miss you greatly. Rest In Peace Big T”.
Presenter Stuart Robinson paid a further tribute to Mr Campbell via his show’s Facebook page, describing him as a “beloved friend and colleague”.
“The term legend is often thrown around but Trevor was a radio legend in every sense of the word,” he said.
“A pioneer, a trail blazer and a house hold name on radio in Northern Ireland for 50 years – no other radio personality here has or will ever come close to achieving what Trevor did during his career.
“Trevor loved and lived for the radio and radio loved him. He was still on-air on his hugely popular show just a few days ago doing what he did best.
“He was credited with bringing country music to Northern Ireland audiences in the 1970s at a time when no one here knew what it was and in 2015 we created and launched an entire radio station in his honour ‘Downtown Country’.”
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U105 broadcaster Frank Mitchell said Big T was “without doubt one of the most welcoming people I ever met when I joined Downtown numerous years ago”.
“To say he was a legend in broadcasting is without doubt not an overstatement and he will be dearly missed,” he told the BBC.
DJ Stuart Banford from U105 became friends with Trevor in the years they spent working together at Downtown Radio.
“There simply aren’t many people who have such an impact that their one show leads to the creation of a new station, as happened with T and Downtown Country,” he said.
“Country music is trendy right now but it wasn’t for a long time, and he was championing it. He pushed both American and Irish country, and was so influential in getting new artists out there.”
Author Emma Heatherington also paid tribute to Mr Campbell, who she said was a “country music legend on our airwaves”, while former Downtown presenter John Rosborough said he was “shocked and greatly saddened” by his death.
“A Downtown original, he was a master of his craft, his witty and slick style being an instant hit with listeners, as were his Country music shows. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” he posted on X.
BBC Broadcaster Bob Huggins said Mr Campbell was a “consummate professional”, while country singer Chrissy McGrath said the news had left him with a “heavy heart”.
“Trevor was more than a cherished presenter on Downtown Country; he was a passionate voice for country music, a friend to many, and a warm presence who brightened our days,” he said.
“Big T’s love for the genre and the community was unmatched, and his legacy will live on in the music he championed and the countless lives he touched.”
Mr Campbell is survived by his partner, Vi, and his sister Norma.
He travelled the world and interviewed some of the biggest stars in country music during a career in the industry spanning almost half a century.
He interviewed and befriended some of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson.
In 2023 he picked up two top gongs at the Northern Ireland Country Music Awards.
He still broadcasting on Downtown Country, and was the only remaining member of the original Downtown Radio presenting team.
He told the Sunday Life last year: “I remember so vividly the anticipation for a couple of months before we went on air.
“It was such an exciting thing in Northern Ireland to have our own commercial radio station as all we really had was Radio 1 and Radio 2 which always seemed really remote.
“From the first day people were hearing of places and people and shops, streets, towns and cities they recognised and lived in themselves.
“Young people just take it for granted now but back then it was a really big thing.”
His death comes less than a month after a second Downtown favourite passed away.
Candy Devine passed away in her native Australia aged 85.
More to follow
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