Tributes have been paid to BBC Radio Merseyside legend Graham Whyte, who died last week. The journalist spent a 45-year-career reporting in the region.
Whyte worked as a producer on Tony Snell’s popular BBC Radio Merseyside breakfast show during his time at the broadcaster, and also had a noteworthy spell at Radio City Liverpool, where he ran one of the largest and longest-running newsrooms in independent local radio in the nineties before his time with the BBC.
Whyte’s wife Anna Petrie announced the news on Facebook, saying: “Our lovely Graham Whyte sadly passed away on Tuesday. We are all heartbroken and in shock, he will now be up there with his Mum, Dad, Rob and Dave. Funeral details will follow in due course.”
Current Lancashire Post local democracy reporter Paul Faulkner was among those paying their respects on social media, describing Whyte as a “trusted broadcaster and journalist who deserved to be heard far beyond Merseyside, but whom Merseyside was privileged to have to itself.”
Former Radio City producer Nigel Bateman added on the station’s Facebook page: “Sad news that Graham Whyte has passed away. Graham was part of the news team at City when I was there and will be greatly missed by many of his peers.”
Fellow BBC Radio Merseyside legend Linda McDermott, meanwhile, issued a moving tribute to the much-loved broadcaster which she shared with local paper the Liverpool Echo: “A highly respected and dedicated journalist, utterly dependable for accuracy and getting to the heart of the story. A hugely affable, smiley man with a great sense of humour,” she said.
“Graham adored the camaraderie of the profession and could never imagine why any reporter would want to be anywhere else but Merseyside because of its worldwide fame as a place of innovation, excitement, generosity, humour and glamour.
“He loved its characters and covered some of the biggest events the region has ever seen during his 45 year career.
“I had the privilege of working closely with Graham for many years when he and the late Roger Summerskill and myself were the first in the newsroom at 5am each morning to collate and present the breakfast programme on BBC Radio Merseyside.
“He’d recently retired but missed it so much he resumed reporting duties on a part time freelance basis. He will be so very much missed by all in the Merseyside Press fraternity. Deepest condolences to his lovely wife and family.”
