Darren Stannage, the son of Manchester radio legend James Stannage, has confirmed that the presenter died following a year-long battle with cancer on Monday morning, describing him as “someone who meant so much to so many people in Manchester”. Stannage was 76 years old.
Stannage became a well-known figure across the North West through his late-night phone-in shows, first on Piccadilly Radio and later on Key 103, where his outspoken style built a loyal audience and strong local profile – and frequently attracted the attention of Ofcom with his wilfully confrontational statements.
Stannage started his radio career in the 1970s, largely hosting programmes where callers could debate topics ranging from politics to sport, and often leading to heated exchanges that became a defining feature, and key draw, of his shows.
Darren posted on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that today cancer took another victim. This time it was a partner, a dad, a grandad and a brother. Also someone who meant so much to so many people in Manchester as my Dad James Stannage has passed away.
“He died peacefully this morning at MRI after battling cancer for over a year. Listening to The Who, he was surrounded by people that loved him and died at 1152am. Such a remarkable time as that was the Radio Station that made him a legend in Manchester to so many people who grew up listening to him on Piccadilly and later on Key103. There will be so many stories and memories that people will have. I will miss him so much as I know so many people will and am very lucky to have been able to have called him my Dad. X”
James’ later career included stints on online radio, maintaining a connection with audiences beyond his mainstream broadcasting years. His long-running presence on local radio made him a recognisable voice across Greater Manchester, while his faultless powers of perception even saw him observing, during a discussion on the Gulf War if memory serves correctly, that a much more fresh-faced version of this journalist sounded “like a very intelligent young man.”
Image: Darren Stannage/Facebook
