News of the passing of esteemed Northern Irish radio personality, John Bennett, at the age of 82 has been made public.
Having a broadcasting career that spanned almost 60 years with the BBC, Bennett was a respected and loved figure in the Northern Irish media circuit. His notability increased when he, along with Gloria Hunniford, inaugurated BBC Radio Ulster on the eve of 1975.
Bennett was especially recognized for ‘The Sunday Club’, a weekend music show, where he was the host for over four decades. In addition to its Sunday slot, the show also aired on Saturdays due to its high popularity, largely owing to Bennett’s comprehensive knowledge of music and a strong rapport with the listeners.
With a fervor for music that lasted his whole life, he also enjoyed being part of a folk band as a guitarist. His unique Christmas morning show, ‘Calling Home’, became an essential part of many households, bringing together families both at home and overseas for a number of years.
In the 90s, Bennett was heard regularly during weekday mornings via his own show on Radio Ulster which seamlessly blended music, news, and amusement. As an avid football fan, he was a sought-after commentator for innumerable live matches on BBC.
In addition to his usual roles, Bennett lent his voice to a host of documentaries and special shows on BBC Radio Ulster, such as the two series on railways, one of his cherished leisure activities, namely ‘Lost Railways’ and ‘John Bennett’s Railway Journeys’.
John Bennett’s exceptional career was acknowledged with an MBE for his contributions to television and radio broadcasting in January 2023. He was later inaugurated into the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame, where it was observed that he had left a ‘lasting impact on the broadcasting platform’.
John was married to his wife, Joan, for 53 years until her demise in 2020. He leaves behind his daughter Siobhan and son Mark.
The Bennett family stated: “Our Father was a proficient professional who had a successful, lengthy career in the Broadcasting industry. He also committed many years of his life to teaching, influencing and inspiring a vast number of individuals.
“His departure marks the loss of a pillar of broadcasting in Northern Ireland. As his family, we mourn the loss of a beloved Father, Father-in-law and a dearly respected Grandad.”
Adam Smyth, the Director at BBC Northern Ireland, remarked: “John Bennett had a knack for making radio presentation seem seamless. He didn’t merely draw in listeners – he amassed followers. He was skilled at owning his subjects, understood what resonated with people, and knew when to make himself inconspicuous.”