Radio 2 star dies as Ken Bruce and Tony Blackburn lead tributes for their ‘dear friend’

TONY Blackburn has issued an emotional tribute to his fellow Radio 2 star and “dear friend” who has died aged 76.

The veteran BBC DJ, 81, broke the news of radio producer Phil Swern’s passing on Sunday.

Tony told how Phil, dubbed “The Collector,” had suffered a “long illness” prior to his death – yet reassured fans his wife was by his side during his final farewell.

In an emotional statement he said: “I am so sad to say that my dear friend of over 60 years Phil The Collector Swern passed away yesterday after a long illness.

“He was very respected in the music business for his music knowledge and professionalism, but above all he was a lovely kind and funny man.

“I was so glad I saw him and his wife Lynsey on Friday and was able to have a final chat with him. He passed away At home with his wife Lynsey who has been at his side looking after him.

“My love goes out to her and his family we will all miss him very much.”

Phil worked on Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew and Tony.

It was on the show where he earned the nickname of The Collector.

He was also the “driving force” behind the content on Ken Bruce’s hit radio show turned TV programme, Popmaster.

Ex BBC Radio 2 DJ Ken, 73, took to his page on X to write: “It’s the saddest of days as my great friend Phil Swern has passed away.

“Phil was a brilliantly inventive man with a passion for music. He had a vast career as a record and radio producer, deviser of tv formats and as the guiding light and co-creator of Popmaster.

“He was a one-man fount of all pop knowledge, starting his record collection as a boy and still displaying the same enthusiasm into his seventies.

“Without him, there would be no Popmaster, on radio or tv. He leaves a giant gap in my life and in the lives of so many.”

Popmaster, which has changed to an on-screen format in Popmaster TV, then uploaded a tribute of its own.

Its page on X put: “Sadly today, we said goodbye to Phil Swern, the Collector for many years the driving force behind Popmaster’s content.

“His wife Lyndsey was at his side.

“His favourite song was Nat King Coles, What a Wonderful World. We will miss our gentle man.”

Ken was able to take the format to Channel 4 after he left Radio 2 this year to present a show on commercial station Greatest Hits.

He said: “After all these years we are finally bringing PopMaster to the telly, where we’ll be challenging music lovers from around the country.

“I can’t wait to get started and find out whether I might have a face for TV after all.”

Ken also revealed that he and producer Phil tried to encourage the BBC to screen PopMaster, but the broadcaster was not interested.

Meanwhile, Phil, who has a BASCA Gold Badge Award for his work in the music industry, also produced Pick of the Pops for Radio 1 in the Eighties.

He also worked on Capital Radio show, You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet.

Just last week, he was broadcasting his own show, Hidden Treasures, on Boom Radio.