27 Facts About Alan Freeman

Alan Freeman wanted to be an opera singer, but decided his voice was not strong enough.

Alan Freeman was invited to audition as a radio announcer in 1952, and began work for 7LA in Tasmania, known as the teenager's station.

Alan Freeman's duties included continuity announcer, presenter of musical programmes incorporating opera, ballet and classical music, DJ for the top 100, news reader, quiz master and commercials reader.

Alan Freeman arrived in London, and on deciding to stay wrote numerous letters of delay, and later apology, to his former employer.

Alan Freeman began his British career as a summer relief disc jockey on Radio Luxembourg and continued to present late evening programmes on the station until the early 1970s.

Alan Freeman gained his nickname "Fluff" as a result of a fluffy jumper that he was fond of wearing.

Alan Freeman presented a music magazine-style television show for the BBC in 1968, All Systems Freeman, which aired for several weeks on Friday evening, but despite good reviews did not return for a second series.

Alan Freeman recorded a dance single, "Madison Time", with the Talmy Stone Band in 1962.

Alan Freeman used "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones as his theme until 1 June 1973.

From 1975 to 1977, Alan Freeman presented the Radio 2 musical game show Free Spin.

Alan Freeman left the BBC to work for Capital Radio from 1979 to 1989, presenting the Top 40 of the 1970s on 31 December 1979 under the revived Pick of the Pops name.

Alan Freeman again revived Pick of the Pops from 13 March 1982 and The Rock Show previous to that on 7 January 1980.

Alan Freeman returned to the BBC and Radio 1 in January 1989 to revive The Rock Show and Pick of the Pops.

Alan Freeman was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1987 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at Thames Television's Teddington Studios.

Alan Freeman then hosted Pick of the Pops Take Three on Capital Gold from April 1994 until January 1997.

Alan Freeman returned to the BBC on Radio 2, taking Pick of the Pops back to its home, from 1997 until 2000.

Alan Freeman played God in two episodes of The Young Ones in 1984.

Alan Freeman appeared in Noel Coward's Private Lives at the Adeline Genee Theatre in East Grinstead in June 1968, starring alongside Shirley Anne Field, Sally Anne Howe and Conrad Phillips.

Alan Freeman's style has been parodied, and he was the model for comedian Harry Enfield's character Dave Nice, although he contributed to the satire himself in good grace by appearing on Enfield's show.

Alan Freeman was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1998.

Alan Freeman was initiated into the Grand Order of Water Rats in 1976, and ten years later was elected "King Rat".

Alan Freeman served as Vice-President of the London Union of Youth Clubs.

In March 1994, Alan Freeman revealed on breakfast television that he had become celibate in 1981, but had previously been bisexual.

Alan Freeman was described by Graham Chapman as being "keen on motor bikes and leather and men".

Alan Freeman lived at Brinsworth House, a retirement home for actors and performers run by the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund in Twickenham, from 2000 until his death.

Alan Freeman died on 27 November 2006 in Brinsworth House, aged 79, after a short arthritis illness.

Alan Freeman's funeral took place at South West Middlesex Crematorium on 7 December 2006, and was attended by singer Kenny Lynch, his producer Phil Swern and DJs including Dave Lee Travis, Ed Stewart, Dave Cash, Paul McKenna, Nicky Campbell, Paul Gambaccini and his Radio One Top 40 successors Wes Butters, Simon Bates and Richard Skinner.