Andy Kershaw Left £425,000 Estate to Children After Cancer Battle
The Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter's will, signed weeks before his death at 66, also made provisions for his dog.
Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw left an estate valued at £425,000 to his two children, Dolly and Sonny, following his death from cancer at the age of 66. Kershaw signed a two-page will just 17 days before he passed away in April.
The will stipulated that his children, whose mother is restaurateur Juliette Banner, should share his assets. His sister, fellow DJ Liz Kershaw, was involved in assisting with the division of possessions.
Probate documents indicate that Kershaw's estate was valued at £495,000 before debts and expenses totaling £70,000 were settled. He also included instructions for his dog, Bertie, expressing a wish for the pet to go to his solicitor, Jayne Brearley, or a new home chosen by her.
Kershaw's battle with cancer was announced in January, at which time he was unable to walk. Doctors had discovered tumors in his spine the previous August. Despite his diagnosis, Kershaw expressed optimism, stating he was in good spirits and planning a new podcast, with a determined outlook to outlive public figures including Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump.
Liz Kershaw led tributes to her brother, sharing on X (formerly Twitter) her grief and affection, calling him her "best friend."
Kershaw began his broadcasting career in 1984, hosting BBC's rock music show 'Old Grey Whistle Test' and later co-presenting television coverage of Live Aid. He joined Radio 1 as a successor to John Peel, gaining recognition for his eclectic music taste and introducing non-mainstream genres to a wider audience. His career also involved extensive international reporting for BBC radio programs such as 'From Our Own Correspondent,' the 'Today' program, and 'The World Tonight,' covering events like the Rwandan genocide and the Sierra Leone civil war.
He also produced radio diaries from North Korea, noted as some of the first recordings made within the country. Kershaw received multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards for his work in bringing world music and specialized genres to mainstream radio.
After leaving BBC Radio 3 in 2007, Kershaw faced personal challenges. His 17-year relationship with Juliette Banner ended in 2006, reportedly after she discovered evidence of infidelity. Kershaw detailed aspects of his relationships and personal struggles in his 2011 autobiography, 'No Off Switch.' He was imprisoned multiple times for violating a restraining order taken out by Banner, stemming from his refusal to accept their relationship's end. He expressed remorse in 2012, telling a judge he had "lost everything" after hounding Banner post-split, including his children and the woman he loved.
During his prison sentence, Kershaw reconnected with financial expert Catherine Turner, whom he had interviewed years earlier. Their relationship developed after her suggestion that he contact her to talk, leading to their romance.