BBC Essex presenter Dave Monk has died at the age of 72 after battling cancer. The DJ career’s spanned early 40 years on the local radio station.
Dave, whose real name was David Travis, revealed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024. The interim director of production at BBC Local, Robert Thompson, described Dave as the “voice of Essex”.
He said in statement: “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.” Dave presented shows on BBC Essex for 37 years until retiring in 2023.
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He joined the station when it launched in November 1986 and interviewed the likes of Sir Tony Blair, Sir Paul McCartney and Dame Vera Lynn.
The radio star was also involved with events like the Dunmow Flitch Trials and Essex Book Festival, which is planning to hold a celebration of his memoirs, ‘Whatever Happened to Dave Monk?’ next year.
Its director Ros Green said that he was a “passionate, enthusiastic, caring man” who cared deeply “about Essex and Essex people”.
Outside of radio, he co-owned a wine car for several years and also practiced as a trained solicitor, running his own law practice.
Fans have shared tributes to Dave on social media, with one writing: “Rest in Peace, Dave. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and all of those at @BBCEssex.”
Bishopsgate councilman Benjamin Murphy added: “Terribly sad news for Essex & broadcasting. Dave championed so many campaigns I have worked on over the years. I think I was 15 when I did my first ‘on air’ interview with him & remember him having an ability to disarm any anxiety and make it simple chat between two friends. RIP.”
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2024, he shared in November that it had become terminal. Speaking to the BBC at the time, he said: “I’m not scared of death, but I’d rather it not to have come quite yet.”
Despite undergoing 12 rounds of chemotherapy and having parts of his pancreas, bile duct, gallbladder and stomach removed, the cancer persisted. He announced in November that the final round of stereotactic radiotherapy had not worked.
“Unfortunately a few weeks ago, we got the news that [the radiotherapy] hadn’t worked either,” he said at the time. “The cancer has now grown on the pancreas and it’s spread to the lungs, liver and various other bits of the body.
“They’ve decided there’s nothing more they can do, so I’m under the wonderful care of Farleigh Hospice and [I’m] going through the last stages.”
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
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Source: Mirror
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