Andy Peebles (GH, HH, 1960-66)

It is with sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Old Stortfordian and world-renowned broadcaster Andy Peebles (GH,HH,60-66) at the age of 76 on 22 March 2025.

Inspired to a lifelong passion for music by his College Director of Music, Christopher Bishop, and opportunities to see musical legends including  Stevie Wonder, The Who, The Moody Blues, The Yardbirds, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Van Morrison and Pink Floyd at the Rhodes Centre (now renamed South Mill Arts) during his 1960s College days, his planned career path was somewhat different from that of the broadcast legend that he was to become.

Andy Peebles and Christopher Bishop - 2022

Having left the College intending to run The Savoy Hotel after doing the Higher National Diploma for Hotel Management in Bournemouth, his illustrious music career was kick started after being asked by the catering department to organise a dance, he DJ'd, leading to lucrative work as a nightclub DJ in the late 1960s and early 1970 and on to embarking on his radio career in 1973 with BBC Radio Manchester. In 1974, he was among the founding DJs of Piccadilly Radio with his talent and charisma soon leading him to BBC Radio 1, where he presented from 1978 for fifteen years.

During his time with the BBC, Andy presented 15 editions of "Top of the Pops" and broadcast for the British Forces Broadcasting Service, the BBC World Service, also taking centre stage at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985, where he introduced David Bowie, Spandau Ballet, and Paul Young.

One of the most pivotal moments in Andy's career was his interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono on December 6, 1980, just two days before Lennon's tragic death. An interview that proved to be the last by any British broadcaster. Andy's memories of this monumental event are etched in history. He recalled his nervousness upon meeting his hero, John Lennon, and the warmth and friendship that quickly developed during their unexpectedly long interview.

Andy shared his vivid memories of that day with the Stortfordian community on the fortieth anniversary of John Lennon’s death in 2020: "In September 1960 when I arrived in Grimwade House, no one had heard of the Beatles. By the time I had joined the main school in 1963, they were well on their way to becoming the most famous pop group in history. John Lennon was my favourite Beatle - I can still see the look on Paul McCartney's angelic face when I told him - and remained so because of his wit and rebellious demeanour which hugely appealed to me.

Andy continued, "And so on Saturday, December 6th at 5:50 pm EST, we arrived at the Hit Factory Recording Studio on Manhattan's Westside. In my professional career, I had never been so nervous, even though I had conducted hundreds of interviews, including three Prime Ministers and The Duke of Edinburgh. There stood my hero, and within five minutes, he had made me feel as though we had been friends for years. Three hours and twenty-two minutes is the longest interview I have ever conducted, and this was followed by dinner at Mr Chow's. The conversation over dinner included John's genuine interest in which of Lennon and McCartney's songs had been performed by The Rivals, the College group in which I played the role of Ringo!

We parted company with a massive hug and a promise that he would appear on my Radio One morning show in February 1981 when he planned to come home to England for the first time in years. Less than 48 hours later, John lay dying on the pavement outside his beloved Dakota apartment. It represented one of the shortest friendships of my life but one that I am massively proud of, the high and low point of my 13 years with Radio One.  I had to write this for you because without Bishop's Stortford College none of this would have happened.’

To reflect his broadcast talent and industry contributions, In 2011, he was inducted into the Radio Academy’s Hall of Fame.

Andy was not only a gifted music broadcaster but also a passionate cricket commentator, working for the BBC for 27 years. His lifelong love for cricket inspired by his cricket coach and Head Groundsman, Ted Witherden (Staff, 63-87). Although self professed as being far from a gifted cricketer himself, Andy's dedication to the sport led him to cover cricket for the BBC for 27 seasons, where he met legendary figures such as Geoffrey Boycott, Colin Cowdrey, Sir Leonard Hutton, Fred Trueman, Jim Laker, Ted Dexter, Tom Graveney, and Ian Botham.

Andy Peebles and Geoffrey Boycott 2022

Despite global success and countless celebrity connections and friendships Andy remained truly down to earth and grateful for the College education he had received. Upon hearing the sad news of Andy’s passing OS James Shanks (GH, RPH 76-82) contacted the College to share a vivid memory that epitomises Andy’s nature ‘It was around 1983 when invited as a top Radio 1 DJ that he kindly returned to the College and completed a guest hour on my decks at our Sixth Form school disco, held in the lecture theatre in careers block next to the library. I still have 2 x 10" singles that he signed!’

In 1999, Andy served as the OS President, and across the decades he remained a regular visitor to the College, taking great personal pride in keeping up with College news and celebrating the sporting and musical successes of numerous fellow Old Stortfordians.

In his 'Life in the day of' article in the OS News in 2016, Andy cited his philosophy to be: "Live life to the full" – a mantra he most certainly embodied throughout his life. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of talented broadcasters and alumni of Bishop's Stortford College.

As we mourn the loss of Andy Peebles, we also celebrate his life and the indelible mark he left on the world. His journey from Grimwade House to becoming a legendary broadcaster is a source of immense pride for our community.