My brother Dominic Busby, who has died from a brain tumour aged 53, was a popular BBC broadcaster on Radio 5 Live as well as many local stations, primarily Radio York and BBC Southern Counties Radio, for which he presented the peak Drivetime show.
Born in Harrogate, Dom was the youngest of three sons of Magda (nee Berry), an interior designer, and Paul Busby, owner of a furniture and ceramics shop in West Park. Our great-grandfather was Ernest Busby, the founder of the famous Busby’s department store in Bradford.
At Cundall Manor prep school in North Yorkshire, Dom was taught by Stephen Fry, who said of his pupil: “He was as delightful, bubbly, charming and smart then as he was throughout his career.” He went on to Fettes college in Edinburgh, where he excelled in athletics and was captain of the Scottish Schools-winning running team.
After leaving school, Dom spent some time working as an assistant manager in a Davy’s wine bar in London before beginning his career in broadcasting at Harrogate’s Stray FM. This led to him joining BBC Radio York in 1988, aged 21.
In the late 1990s he presented an evening programme broadcast across BBC local radio in the south. He then joined BBC Southern Counties Radio in 2002 to present the popular Drivetime show. While based in the south, Dom remained proud of his Yorkshire roots and became well known for giving away Harrogate Sulphur Soap.
Shortly after BBC Sport relocated from London to Salford in 2011, Dom began working as a sports bulletin presenter on Radio 5 Live and Radio 4. He also presented news bulletins for 5 Live and Radio 3, and worked for several local radio stations including BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio Humberside and BBC Radio Sussex.
In 2006 Dom married Alison Harper, a BBC colleague. Although the marriage ended in divorce, they remained on good terms.
Dom enjoyed and followed all sports, and was a great supporter of Harrogate Rugby Club and Yorkshire County Cricket Club in particular.
He is survived by Magda and his brothers, Christopher and me.
