Big T: Legendary Downtown Radio presenter has died
Tributes are pouring in for Trevor Campbell who has passed away at the age of 78
Last updated 7 hours ago
Downtown Radio's legendary presenter Trevor 'Big T' Campbell has died.
He passed away in hospital after a short illness at the age of 78.
Trevor was one of the first presenters on Downtown Radio when it launched in 1976.
Since then he has become one of the Northern Ireland's best-known voices on radio - expert and passionate in the country genre.
Trevor is survived by his partner, Vi, and his sister Norma.
In a statement, station Content Director, Stuart Robinson, said: "The entire Downtown team are devasted at the news our beloved friend and colleague Trevor Campbell (Big T) has died at the age of 78 following a short illness.
"The term legend is often thrown around but Trevor was a radio legend in every sense of the word. A pioneer, a trail blazer and a house hold name on radio in Northern Ireland for 50 years – no other radio personality here has or will lever come close to achieving what Trevor did during his career.
"Trevor loved and lived for the radio and radio loved him. He was still on-air on his hugely popular show just a few days ago doing what he did best. He was credited with bringing Country music to Northern Ireland audiences in the 1970’s at a time when no one here knew what it was and in 2015 we created and launched an entire radio station in his honour ‘Downtown Country’. It was a particular honour to be with Trevor in 2016 when he was inducted into the PPI Irish Radio Hall Of Fame.
"Much more will be said about ‘Big T’ over the coming days and how he impacted the lives of so many people in Northern Ireland across many decades but for now our thoughts are with Trevor’s family, friends and the Downtown listeners who loved him so much. We will all miss him so much. Legend x "
Among the many tributes was one from country star Nathan Carter who posted a picture of himself with Trevor on Facebook - and described him as "radio royalty".
Paying tribute John Rosborough, a former Downtown programme controller, who worked with Trevor in the early days of the station, described him as a "master of his craft".