19 Facts About Desmond Carrington

Desmond Herbert Carrington was a British broadcaster and actor whose career spanned 75 years.

Desmond Carrington was best known for his weekly show on BBC Radio 2 which aired for 35 years, from 4 October 1981 until his final broadcast on 28 October 2016.

Desmond Carrington appeared in such films as Calamity the Cow and acted on TV, where he became known for his role as Dr Anderson in Emergency Ward 10.

Desmond Carrington was born in Bromley, Kent, England and lived in Perth, Scotland from 1995 until his death.

Desmond Carrington was conscripted into the army a year later, being commissioned into the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment.

Desmond Carrington returned to the UK a few years later and worked as a radio producer and acted on TV, where he became known for his role as Dr Anderson in Emergency Ward 10.

Desmond Carrington's first show on BBC Radio 2 called All Time Greats ran from 4 October 1981 to 29 August 2004.

Desmond Carrington's second show on the network, The Music Goes Round, ran from 31 August 2004 until his final broadcast on 28 October 2016, and originally aired in an hourly slot on a Tuesday evening, from 7pm to 8pm, until it was moved to Friday evenings commencing on 9 April 2010.

Desmond Carrington used his personal collection of some 80,000 CDs, LPs and 78s.

Desmond Carrington was awarded the Gold Badge of Merit in 1989 by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, and he was voted British Radio Personality of the Year in 1991.

On his show on 30 September 2016, Desmond Carrington confirmed his intention to hang up his headphones after three decades on the airwaves and presented his last show on 28 October 2016.

Desmond Carrington had suffered cancer and Alzheimer's disease for several years and suffered heart failure for the second time on Christmas Day 2015.

Desmond Carrington opened his last show with the same song that had opened 'All Time Greats' in 1981, "Up, Up and Away" by the Johnny Mann Singers, and closed it with Mel Torme's "That's All".

Desmond Carrington thanked listeners, without whom, he said "the whole thing would have been quite pointless".

Desmond Carrington was praised by Director-General of the BBC Tony Hall who said:.

Desmond Carrington has made a huge contribution to BBC Radio as part of his remarkable 70-year career.

Desmond Carrington is a natural broadcaster who exudes great charm, and his weekly programme brings joy to listeners both at home and around the world.

Desmond Carrington died on 1 February 2017 at the age of 90.

Desmond Carrington's death was announced on BBC Radio 2's 8:00pm news bulletin and it was stated that he had been battling both cancer and Alzheimer's disease for several years.