Veteran BBC Radio Merseyside Broadcaster Dies at 83

Jenny Collins, a pioneering British radio presenter and one of the founding voices behind BBC Radio Merseyside, has died at the age of 83, the BBC confirmed. Her death was announced on 2 January 2026, marking the end of a long and influential career in local radio broadcasting.

Collins was instrumental in the launch of BBC Radio Merseyside in November 1967, helping shape the station from its earliest days. She was among the original team who welcomed the first listeners and helped build the station’s reputation as a vital part of the community’s media landscape.


Over the years, she became known not only as a presenter but also as a producer and senior editorial figure, taking on roles such as programme controller. Among her presenting credits were shows like Junior Spin, and she also produced popular programmes including Jazz Panorama and Write Now.


Colleagues and former co‑workers paid tribute to Collins as a warm‑hearted and dedicated broadcaster. Broadcaster Roger Lyon remembered her as having “a great broadcasting voice” and described her as “a genuinely lovely person” who played an important role both in front of and behind the microphone.


Mick Ord of BBC Radio Merseyside called Collins a “wonderful, warm‑spirited woman” whose contributions helped shape the station’s identity and success. Her influence on local radio in Merseyside and beyond was widely acknowledged by those who worked with her.


Collins was married to Steve Voce, a journalist and former BBC Radio 2 presenter and columnist, who died in 2023. She continued to be associated with the station throughout her life and was remembered fondly by listeners and broadcasters alike for her lasting impact on UK local radio.