Best known as the discoverer of rockers Dire Straits and as a champion of world music, the broadcaster died in a London hospital yesterday, his family said. He contracted a disease of the autoimmune system, and suffered a heart attack last week.
Gillett, who was born in Morecambe, Lancs, stepped down from his regular slot on Radio 3's World on 3 for health reasons two months ago. He is credited with discovering Dire Straits in 1976 after playing Sultans of Swing from the band's demo tape on his influential BBC Radio London show Honky Tonk.
Gillett also championed world music stars like Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita and the young singer of Portuguese fado music, Mariza. During the past decade he entertained millions of listeners through his World Service programme, Charlie Gillett's World of Music. World Service director Peter Horrocks said he would be sorely missed.
“Charlie Gillet was an inspiration whose spirit of adventure and passion for the rich diversity of global music opened the ears of the world," he said.
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