Funeral held for BBC Radio Guernsey presenter and charity stalwart John Randall following his death at 68
The funeral for a BBC presenter described as a “loveable maverick” has taken place.
A funeral has been held for BBC radio presenter and charity stalwart John Randall - known to thousands on Guernsey - after his death following a short illness. The BBC Radio Guernsey host died in January at the age of 68.
David Earl, senior journalist team manager at the station, who read a eulogy at his funeral, said: "He was a loveable maverick who did what he wanted to, when he wanted to."
Randall became a household name on the Channel Islands during a 25-year career with the BBC, including as the station's first dedicated local afternoon show presenter. Prior to his career with the BBC, Randall first appeared on Offshore Radio in 1988 before setting up the island's first full-time commercial station, Island FM.
He continued to give listeners a voice more recently as the host of an evening show - on Mondays and Fridays - as well as a Sunday afternoon show across both Guernsey and Jersey.
Speaking in June, he said: "I like going out and doing all the fun bits, like the Donkey Derby. I love raising money for charities. I love helping people, I really do. I give up my own time to do it and it's fun. It's meeting people as well and putting smiles on faces which is what I enjoy doing."
Paying tribute to the host following his death, BBC Guernsey executive producer Michelle Daniel, said: "At work he embraced the role of being our ambassador in the community. He loved BBC Guernsey and the people that work here and we loved him back. A huge part of us will always be missing."
Randall raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity throughout his career, including for BBC Children in Need, as well as supporting events on the Guernsey.
Isla Blatchford, a fellow BBC Guernsey presenter, added: "I think one of the best things about John was his ability to get people on board to help raise money for all sorts of causes. He could talk anyone into anything it seemed."
Stephanie Marshall, senior head of content production for the West, South West and Channel Islands at the BBC, said: "For more than a quarter of a century, John's voice has been heard across the region, and it's hard to imagine anyone on the Channel Islands who wouldn't recognise his distinctive style. He will be deeply missed, and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time."
Randall’s funeral service took place at the Dave Ferguson Hall, Beau Sejour.