Former BBC radio presenter Dave Monk has died at the age of 72 following a battle with cancer.

Dave, real name David Travis, presented programmes on BBC Essex for almost four decades and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in 2024.

He recently announced the disease had become terminal and that he was moving into Farleigh Hospice.

Dave, who is survived by his wife Caroline, was hailed ‘the voice of Essex’ by Robert Thompson, interim director of production at BBC Local, who said he had a ‘remarkable impact on the county’.

‘From solicitor to broadcaster, there was nothing Dave couldn’t do, and he taught us all to grab hold of every opportunity and go after it,’ he added in a statement.

Tributes poured in across social media for Dave, who had interviewed the likes of Dame Vera Lynn and Sir Paul McCartney.

+3
View gallery

BBC radio presenter Dave Monk has died aged 72 following a cancer battle as his heartbroken colleagues pay tribute

+3
View gallery

Dave, real name David Travis, presented programmes on BBC Essex for almost four decades and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in 2024

BBC 5Live presenter Mark Summers wrote: ‘A tremendous broadcaster and a wonderful and kind man. Cheerful, welcoming, positive, generous – I really can’t praise Dave enough.

‘I’ll be thinking of his family and colleagues at @BBCEssex today. We’ve lost a legend. RIP Dave Monk.’

Media commentator Lou Birt added: ‘Dave Monk RIP. A superb broadcaster who could easily have been on network. He really cared about the listeners and Essex.

‘He presented the funeral programme for Sir David Amess with such dignity and expertise. I will miss him a great deal.’

George Mann, a BBC News journalist, wrote: ‘Dave Monk was one of the great voices of local radio.

‘Huge fun to work with, passionate about Essex, a great, journalist, presenter and entertainer who could do it all. Condolences to friends, family and everyone at @BBCEssex.’

Broadcaster Jeremy Spake: ‘My thoughts are with the friends and family of Dave Monk a presenting legend @BBCEssex. #RIP Dave.’

TV producer Alex Barnett added: ‘Fortunate to have worked with Dave. Huge talent. Great broadcaster. Loved Essex and loved his job. Most of all he was good company and a nice man and had a huge interest in people.

+3
View gallery

Dave, who is survived by his wife Caroline, was hailed ‘ the voice of Essex’ by Robert Thompson , interim director of production at BBC Local, who said he had a ‘remarkable impact on the county’

BBC 5Live presenter Mark Summers wrote: ‘A tremendous broadcaster and a wonderful and kind man’

George Mann, a BBC News journalist, wrote: ‘Dave Monk was one of the great voices of local radio’

Media commentator Lou Birt added: ‘Dave Monk RIP. A superb broadcaster who could easily have been on network’

‘Thinking of his family and friends. Absolutely he will be missed. Thanks for all Dave. A great man.’

Dave was well known for his charity work, supporting Havens Hospices, Parkinson’s UK and Remus Horse Sanctuary and Open Road, a drug and alcohol recovery service.

He retired from the BBC in September 2023 and finished his show with the song Goodbye-ee by Dudley Moore and Peter Cook.

He signed off by telling listeners: ‘Look after yourself, have a lot of fun, and don’t forget, the more you laugh, the more you live. Goodbye.’

Speaking to the BBC in November, Dave revealed his cancer had become terminal and despite undergoing 12 rounds of chemotherapy and having his pancreas, bile duct, gallbladder and stomach removed, the cancer had persisted.

‘I’m not scared of death, but I’d rather it not to have come quite yet,’ he said.

He added: ‘Unfortunately a few weeks ago, we got the news that [the radiotherapy] hadn’t worked either. The cancer has now grown on the pancreas and it’s spread to the lungs, liver and various other bits of the body.’