Paul Gambaccini, the veteran BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio presenter, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In a statement made public on Thursday, the 77-year-old, who was given the diagnosis in early 2025, said: “As Freddie Mercury once sang, you can’t turn back the clock, you can’t turn back the tide. Ain’t that a shame. There’s no denying it’s a serious condition with an uncertain future, but for now life goes on as normal.”
Gambaccini, known to listeners as “The Great Gambo” and “The Professor of Pop”, confirmed he will continue to present his programmes: The Paul Gambaccini Collection on BBC Radio 2 (Sundays, 8-10pm) and his shows on Greatest Hits Radio. “I’m grateful for the kindness and support I’ve already received,” he said. “I will be as open as I can as things progress. For now, I wish to be given the space to keep on broadcasting the music I love to the listeners I love even more. These are the days of our lives.”
“Paul Gambaccini, 77, diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2025, says he will continue presenting on BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio.”
Radio 2 head Helen Thomas said: “On behalf of everyone at Radio 2 as well as all of his listeners, we send our love and best wishes to Paul, and continue to support him with his beautifully crafted weekly music show on Sunday evenings.” Andy Ashton, content director at Greatest Hits Radio, praised Gambaccini for “bravely sharing his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease” and added: “We know our audience will wholeheartedly share his own desire to keep on broadcasting the music he loves to the listeners he loves even more.”
The Alzheimer’s Society, which has been supporting Gambaccini and his husband Christopher Sherwood, said his experience “shows that there can be life after a dementia diagnosis”. Charity chief executive Michelle Dyson added: “Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be frightening, but it can also open the door to receiving treatment and…”. Gambaccini has also been a patron of the Terrence Higgins Trust for more than 30 years. Its chief executive, Richard Angell, said: “Paul has been with Terrence Higgins Trust and those affected by HIV every step of the way – from the devastation of the 1980s right through today… He has had a huge personal impact in improving public perceptions of HIV over the last 30 years and I have no doubt that from today he will do the same with Alzheimer’s.” Sir Nick Partridge, the trust’s former chief executive, recalled Gambaccini’s “300 Club” which raised £1,000 from 300 supporters, calling it “a game changer” for the charity.
Born in New York City, Gambaccini began his media career on college radio and Rolling Stone magazine before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1973, where he presented the US chart show for 18 years. He went on to present on BBC Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4, was a founding presenter of Classic FM in 1992, and hosted Counterpoint on Radio 4, America’s Greatest Hits on Greatest Hits Radio, plus Pick of the Pops and his eponymous Collection on Radio 2. Inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame in 2005, he also presented the last-ever BBC Radio 2 broadcast from Wogan House in February 2024, signing off with The Floral Dance.
Gambaccini’s decision to remain on air has been welcomed by fans and colleagues alike. “These are the days of our lives,” he said, echoing Queen’s lyrics. For now, the music plays on.