Tributes paid to north west radio presenter Umberto

Written by RadioToday UK

North West radio presenter Umberto Saoncella, affectionately known as just Umberto to friends and listeners, has died after an ongoing illness.

Umberto originally worked at Piccadilly Radio/Gold in Manchester hosting Breakfast, and went on to Century in the northwest and Real Radio in Wales and Yorkshire. He also had a short stint at Smooth Radio.

Posting on Facebook, his friend Gary Coxhill wrote: “Dear friends of Umberto Saoncella.

“It is with great sadness to inform you all, that on the morning of the 17th, he finally lost his battle with his awful illness!

“After a few weeks in hospital, he came home to spend his last days with his partner Bob and his closest friends, he was cared for by an extensive team, of carers and district nurses, who were marvellous, he passed away very peacefully, Umberto’s funeral is on the 24th at 10.40 am at Blacon crematorium, it’s a humanist service, with close friends/ family only. He will be dearly missed ?.”

The many tributes being made to Umberto show how kind and caring to his friends and colleagues he was.

Simon Cole tells RadioToday about working with him at Piccadilly: “Umberto was a rare talent. The chemistry he enjoyed with the other presenters, especially Susie Mathis in those glory days at Piccadilly was something special.

“He could connect with an audience and had a charisma both on-air and in-person which left a big mark.”

John Simons hired Umberto at Real Radio. He told us: “Such a lovely man. He will be greatly missed by so many. A great personality who really cared about his listeners

“He played a key role in the early days of GMG Radio and was always willing to go that extra mile. Personally, we became very close and will remember him as a close friend.”

Former colleague and news presenter Henry Matthews says: “It was almost inevitable, given the vision and creativity of the people who ran the station at the time that he should become one of its best-loved presenters.

“But he was so much more than an enthusiastic amateur – he was a consummate professional and an absolute natural behind the microphone.”

Many more tributes have been posted to social media, and the sad news was also shared on a Piccadilly Facebook Group.

Steve Penk said: “Such sad news that an old broadcaster friend has died. Umberto was always great fun and I always enjoyed his infectious fun and joy for life. He was a wonderful broadcaster. Night night my friend x.”

John Pickford from Bauer writes: “What sad news to wake up to this morning. I will remember Umberto as a wonderful kind man and an outstanding and natural broadcaster. He developed a warm and caring relationship with his listeners. My thoughts are with his friends and family this morning.”

Producer Ste Softley wrote: “So sad to hear about the passing of radio legend and dear friend, Umberto Saoncella. For two years I worked with him, answering the phones for his late night show on 105.4 Century FM and he would have me crying with laughter every night.

“He had a giant heart, and really looked out for me when I was struggling to make ends meet, even bringing in homemade meals to make sure I was fed. Umboudoir was one of the kindest and funniest people I have ever met, truly one of a kind. The pain and suffering are now over, rest well my friend x.”

Spence Macdonald, who worked with Umberto at Piccadilly, said: “So sad to hear of the passing of one of the loveliest guys in radio. Umberto was a genuine person whose broadcasts touched so many people. We had a lot of laughs together off air and he will be sadly missed. RIP darling.”

Geoff Lloyd writes: “Rotten news to wake up to. He was a titan in the North West, and a warm, empathetic, wickedly funny man.”

Mike Toolan added: “This is such sad news. He was an absolute diamond of a broadcaster. A gentleman and a comic in equal measure. Had no idea he was ill. Genuinely so sorry to hear this.”

Posted on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 at 2:52 pm by RadioToday UK

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