Originally posted by BBC
DJ Tommy Vance dies after stroke
Tommy Vance
Vance worked at Radio 1 before leaving for Virgin
Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tommy Vance has died in hospital three days after suffering a stroke.
Vance, who was 63, died in Kent at 0400 on Sunday, his agent said.
The DJ, best remembered for his gravelly voice, started out on US radio before working at Radio Caroline and Radio 1.
"He was a great bloke and he was held in very high regard for his knowledge of rock which was unsurpassed," said his agent Jon Roseman.
"I had known Tommy for 35 years. He certainly had one of the most recognisable voices on radio," he added.
Vance, who has two children, also presented the Friday Night Rock show on digital channel VH1 and more lately had his own show on digital radio station Virgin Classic Rock.
The Rolling Stones and Tommy Vance
The Rolling Stones were interviewed by Vance ®
Last year he took part in ITV's Hell's Kitchen reality TV show but pulled out after only a few days, saying he could not bare the verbal abuse dished out the show's celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
Born in Oxford, Vance got his big break on Los Angeles radio station KHJ.
He then returned to the UK to work on pirate station Radio Caroline.
He was then signed to Radio 1 where he worked for 15 years. He was also a regular presenter of Top of the Pops.
During his career he interviewed more than 10,000 guests including Prince Charles and the Rolling Stones.
Vance's distinctive voice also landed him voiceover jobs and he also worked as a continuity announcer for BBC Two.
His agent Mr Roseman said Vance's death would leave "an enormous void".
