Manchester radio presenter James Stannage dies, aged 76

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Manchester radio host James Stannage has died at the age of 76, his family has confirmed.

Stannage died on Monday after fighting cancer for a year, his son Darren announced on Facebook. Darren described his father as a beloved figure who touched the lives of many in Manchester.

The post shared that he passed away peacefully this morning at Massachusetts General Hospital after a year-long battle with cancer. He was listening to The Who and was surrounded by loved ones when he died at 11:52 AM.

He became a Manchester legend thanks to his time at the radio stations Piccadilly and Key103, where generations grew up listening to him.

He created countless wonderful memories for everyone who knew him. I’m going to miss him terribly, as will so many others, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had him as my father.

Stannage started his radio career in the 1970s, quickly gaining popularity as a host of late-night call-in programs. He first worked at Piccadilly Radio, and later at its successor station, Key 103 (now Hits Radio).

Radio host Stannage, known for his bold and sometimes controversial opinions, left Key 103 in July 2005 after a decade with the station. Anthony Gay, the programme director at Key 103, stated that Stannage’s direct and provocative style had entertained listeners in the North West for nearly ten years and often sparked debate.

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Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss writes about the newest trends in television, movies, and other media for TopMob. She has a master’s degree in journalism and has also contributed to major publications like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.

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2026-03-31 14:34