BBC Radio producer and co-creator of Popmaster, Phil Swern, has tragically passed away at the age of 76. The BBC Radio 2 star’s passing has prompted a wave of tributes from his famous friends on social media.
Ken Bruce took to Twitter today to express his sorrow, stating: “It’s the saddest of days as my great friend Phil Swern has passed away. Phil was a brilliantly inventive man with a passion for music. He had a vast career as a record and radio producer, deviser of tv formats and as the guiding light and co-creator of Popmaster. (1/2).”
“He was a one-man fount of all pop knowledge, starting his record collection as a boy and still displaying the same enthusiasm into his seventies. Without him, there would be no Popmaster, on radio or tv. He leaves a giant gap in my life and in the lives of so many. (2/2).”
The official Popmaster account also shared their condolences, saying: “Sadly today, we said goodbye to Phil Swern, the Collector for many years the driving force behind Popmaster’s content. His wife Lyndsey was at his side. His favourite song was Nat King Cole’s, What a Wonderful World. We will miss our gentle man.”
Tony Blackburn took to social media to announce the heartbreaking news, posting on Facebook: “I am so sad to say that my dear friend of over 60 years Phil The. Collector, Swern passed away yesterday after a long illness. He was very respected in the music business for his music knowledge and professionalism, but above all he was a lovely kind and funny man. I was so glad I saw him and his wife Lynsey on Friday and was able to have a final chat with him. He passed away At home with his wife Lynsey who has been at his side looking after him. My love goes out to her and his family we will all miss him very much.”, reports the Mirror.
He also shared his grief on Twitter, saying: “I am very sad to say that my dear friend of over 60 years and producer of @BBCRadio2 Sound of the Sixties passed away yesterday afternoon after a long illness. I am so glad I saw him and his wife Lynsey last Friday. Phil, the Collector, Swern will be missed by us all.”
Phil Swern, a stalwart of the music industry, left an indelible legacy through his work on seminal programmes such as Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew, his tenure at the helm of Pick of the Pops on Radio 1 in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and his stewardship of the show on BBC Radio 2 from 1997 right up until 2023.
Moreover, from 2007 until last year, he dedicated his efforts to producing Sounds of the 60s for Radio 2. His creative prowess also saw him devising questions for Radio 2’s Ken Bruce’s PopMaster quiz.
Phil’s expertise extended beyond BBC radio; he had a stint at Capital Radio fronting the Sunday afternoon quiz show You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet and was part of the launch crew at Capital Gold. His most recent appearance was on Boom Radio during the last Bank Holiday Monday, showcasing Phil Swern’s Hidden Gems drawn from his extensive music collection.
Off the airwaves, Phil produced chart-topping records, authored music books, contributed to television and proudly owned every UK top 40 hit since the charts began in 1952. In recognition of his significant influence and dedication, Phil was honoured with a BASCA Gold Badge Award in 2010, further cementing his legacy in the music industry.