Former Atlantic 252 radio presenter Gary Wilkinson has died at the age of 50 after a short illness.
Gary, who enjoyed most of his life in radio, also worked at Sun FM, Metro, TFM, Wyvern, Galaxy North East and Manchester, MFM, Real Radio, the BBC and more.
He used many different on-air names on many different stations in the UK and around the world, inlcuding Pizzaman on Atlantic 252 and Mojo/Nick Jordan on Galaxy.
He started his radio career at Wear FM in Sunderland in the mid-90s and later spent a year in Canada on CKNG Power 92 in Edmonton, Alberta and Power 107.
In more recent years he was freelancing at the BBC and working at local community and commercial radio stations around his native North East.
His voice was also on Merge 104.8 Muscat, All Oldies Radio, Holiday FM, Zetland FM, YO1 and Frisk Radio.
Gary’s cousin shared the sad new on Facebook on Sunday morning, saying: “Sadly late Friday night 28/10/2022 my fabulous cousin Gary Wilkinson passed away after a short illness.
“He was with family and will live on in our hearts and memories forever. Gary was my favourite cousin and a friend.
“It has come as a shock to us all. Please respect his family at this time xxxx.”
Frisk Radio posted this message on social media: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Frisk Radio presenter Nick Jordan (Gary Wilkinson).
“Gary was a highly-experienced and well-respected presenter at Frisk, and before joining the team, had worked for countless other North East and national radio stations.
“Gary passed away late on Friday night after a short illness. Our thoughts and deepest condolences to his family.”
Paul Goff tweeted: “Sad to hear of the loss re the lovely Gary Wilkinson today. I shared some great nights with him through the years & we talked so much about radio. Gary assembled a fabulous cv via Atlantic 252, TFM, Galaxy & so many more. Rest in peace Gary”
RIP Gary Wilkinson (AKA Pizzaman, Mojo, Nick Jordan) formerly of Atlantic 252, Power 92 & Power 97 in Canada, Wyvern, Metro FM, TFM, Galaxy, Sun FM and most recently Frisk FM pic.twitter.com/uDAVV3OweT
— RADIOWATCHER
(@RadioWatcher) October 30, 2022
Very sad to hear that Gary Wilkinson has passed away. He was also known as Pizzaman at Atlantic 252, Mojo at Galaxy 102 and TFM and Nick Jordan at Wyvern FM as well as several others. pic.twitter.com/MWrPzuUtKP
— Aircheck Downloads (@airchecks) October 30, 2022
Such sad news this morning to discover the passing on Friday of Gary Wilkinson (Nick Jordan to Sun FM listeners) after a short illness.
Gary loved radio more than anyone I know from his days in Canada, Atlantic 252, Galaxy, TFM, Sun FM (and more).
RIP Gary pic.twitter.com/6AVGPfvBM6
— Simon Grundy (@SimonGrundy) October 30, 2022
Really sad to hear my friend Gary Wilkinson has passed away.
He was incredibly supportive to me over the last year and I had the Great Fortune to involve him in my #RadioGreat series too, where he reflected on his amazing career.
RIP Pizzaman https://t.co/Osal5AKh9b
— Luke Davies
(@TheLiveLuke) October 30, 2022
1/ I’m absolutely devastated to hear of the death of my buddy and fellow #Atlantic252 alumni Gary Wilkinson aka Pizzaman. We’d been in regular contact over the past couple of weeks following his admittance to hospital and despite the fact he was ill he remained in good spirits pic.twitter.com/71zwugO9Gx
— Al Stirling (@alstirlingUK) October 30, 2022
Heartbreaking news. Gary Wilkinson a beautiful soul who loved radio and always knew what to say to help others feel brighter. Lots of love to Gary’s friends, family and colleagues.
https://t.co/j056rIeILJ
— Sofia (Bibi Choudry) Cann (@SofiaCann1) October 30, 2022
Another familiar North East radio name has gone.
Sad to hear the news of Gary Wilkinson’s death, the man behind great on air names Pizzaman, Mojo and Nick Jordan.
RIP fella x
— Les Gunn (@funny_gunny) October 30, 2022
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk