Legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ, Tommy Vance, has died at the age of 63.

Vance has passed away in hospital, three days after after suffering a stroke at his home in Kent.

He began his career in the US before moving to pirate Radio Caroline in the 1960s, broadcasting from a ship off the Essex coast.

After the UK Government banned offshore pirate stations in 1967, Vance worked for Radio 1 for 15 years and regularly presented ‘Top of the Pops’ on BBC 1.

More recently, Vance hosted the Friday Night Rock show on digital channel, VH1, and later had his own show on digital radio station, Virgin Classic Rock.

Dave Cash worked with Vance at Radio Caroline, Radio 1 and Capital Radio and was a friend for 40 years.

“He’s a bit like John Peel and Kenny Everett – he’s irreplaceable.

“He was a total professional.”