Tributes paid to Hull radio DJ Carl Kingston following his death aged 69

A Hull-born radio DJ whose voice has become widely known across the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire regions and beyond has sadly died.

The death of Carl Kingston, at the age of 69, was reported by Radio Today. The news was met with sorrow by friends and followers across broadcasting.

Radio Today said the passing of the former BBC Radio Humberside and Viking FM DJ, who had worked on many radio stations in the UK and around the world, had occurred after a short illness. Carl, who was formerly a presenter on Grimsby’s own local radio station, Mariner FM, in the Nineties, most recently played a part in Radio Caroline’s special broadcast for its 60th anniversary.

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Radio Today said that Carl, who was educated in Hornsea, began his broadcasting career in 1974 on BBC Radio Humberside and this was followed by Radio Caroline, Radio Mi Amigo, The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, The Voice of Peace in Israel and Viking Radio. His work also took him to MAGIC 1380 KSMJ Sacramento California, 99 WSFW FM Seneca Falls New York, Blue Danube Radio in Vienna, Austria, the satellite service The Super Station, 96.3 Aire FM, Hereward FM, Minster FM, Stray FM, BFBS, Home 107.9 and Garrison Radio, Radio Nova in Moldova, Alpha FM, Radio Seagull in Holland, 91 FM Radio Atlanta and Spectrum FM Costa Calida in Spain.

As an international club DJ, Carl posted on social media about the many countries he had visited. His first overseas contract was in Norway, when he was 19.

In 1998, the fledgling local radio station Mariner FM, backed by the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, ran a successful pilot, with Carl one of the presenters. His was a late-night slot, broadcasting from 9pm to 1am every weeknight.

Introducing him to the airwaves at the time, Mariner FM said: “Born in Hull and educated in Hornsea, Carl has gained a huge amount of experience in the music industry and has been involved in record promotions, public relations, agency management and has voiced many radio and television commercials. His broadcasting career began in 1974 with Radio Humberside and has since included work for many other stations including Viking FM, Blue Danube Radio in Vienna, Austria and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.”

Carl worked alongside presenters for the pilot, including Neil McKenna, Kev Roberts, Mark Mason, Ray Stroud, Matt Dean and Richard Cadey. When the station went on air again the following year, he was with the likes of Mark Page (ex Radio One) Tim Finlay (ex Hallam), Tess Dunlop (ex Hereward) and Cameron Prudames (ex Viking).

River Radio joined in the tributes to Carl, one of their volunteers and on-air presenters. It said: “Carl had over 50 years’ experience as a DJ on radio, and in nightclubs all over the World. Carl's shows added class to any radio station they were broadcast, including at River Radio here in the Great Northwest.”

The station’s programme director Steve Marshall described Carl as “a lover of life, good food, good friends, and most of all great radio”. He said: "Personally I have Carl to thank for putting a word in for me at a DJ agency in Switzerland in the early 1990s, and also helping kick start my career in Spanish radio.

“Carl helped so many people get their first start in radio, including Chris Moyles, who got his first break answering the phones for Carl's Radio Aire show.”

Responding to the post on Facebook, Brian said: “Carl was a close friend, fellow DJ and radio presenter. He was a lovely man with a fabulous sense of humour, down to earth fella, and an exceptional good radio presenter. He was indeed a radio legend. RIP my friend, I will forever be grateful for our friendship.”

Another reply came from David who said: “It’s hard to believe that last weekend I was listening to Carl on Radio Caroline presenting a great show and sounding happy. It’s a shock to hear this news today.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Keri posted: “RIP Carl Kingston. He did the 'yoof' 'Paull Hunsley Electric Wireless Show'- oddly named after their transmitter site at BBC Humberside when I started doing stuff there. Then we worked at Aire before he went to, I think, Sacramento. A true radio pro.”

TheRadCaroline said: “Terribly sad news with the unexpected death today of DJ Carl Kingston, who presented a brilliant show on radioship Ross Revenge just 5 days ago.”

Alex said: “Sad news that Carl Kingston has passed away. A Yorkshire legend of Viking, Aire, Minster, Stray and Humberside amongst many others and a pleasure to have worked with him lately at @LDCRadioLeeds.”

Emma posted: “Carl Kingston was a radio legend but also the kindest, loveliest man to work with. Carl helped so many entering the world of radio and he really looked after people. Also, he always got us bacon sandwiches at 6am on a Saturday!”