Charlie Partridge, who ran BBC Radio Lincolnshire for over 20 years, has passed away.
Among tributes on social media, former BBC News Foreign Correspondent and colleague Jonathan Charles posted on X: “I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Charlie Partridge. More than 45 years ago, he taught me a lot about broadcasting @BBCNottingham – he was a great guy and we stayed in touch, occasionally swapping messages in the years since. Sometimes discussing @springsteen – My thoughts are with his family.”
BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Sean Dunderdale posted that he was deeply saddened to hear about Charlie’s passing and wrote: “I remember – and often reminded him – of how, when a teenager, I listened to his breakfast show on Radio Humberside.
“When he was appointed Managing Editor at Radio Lincolnshire, I showed him around Lincs FM and spent years winding him up with daft stunts – including parking my Lincs FM car right outside the BBC reception doors and other such tricks.
“I was proud to then become his final presenter appointment before his well deserved retirement from the BBC.
“His love of radio – especially local radio – shone through everything he did. He continued to judge the National Hospital Awards for me right up until earlier this year and was always full of praise for the winning entries.”
He added: “Lincolnshire is poorer for his passing but much richer for the time he spent with us.”
Katrina Bunker, Head of the BBC in Lincolnshire said: “Charlie Partridge was a trailblazer, a passionate advocate for the power of BBC local radio and an inspirational, creative editor. He was also a tremendous friend and colleague to many people across the BBC where his big ideas have left a lasting mark particularly in Lincolnshire. He will be really missed and our hearts go out to all of his family and friends.”
Ex BBC Editor, John Gelson wrote on Facebook: “I’m sharing Lip Dub Lincoln again tonight in tribute to the man who was the creative genius behind it, former BBC Radio Lincolnshire Editor Charlie Partridge, who has sadly passed away.
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Charlie Partridge. More than 45 years ago, he taught me a lot about broadcasting @BBCNottingham – he was a great guy and we stayed in touch, occasionally swapping messages in the years since. Sometimes discussing @springsteen – My thoughts… https://t.co/B5P4OB8BoX
— jonathan charles (@JCharlesLondon) July 19, 2025
As others have posted online, I’m deeply saddened to have learnt yesterday of the death of Charlie Partridge. pic.twitter.com/es7NtFUH6M
— Sean Dunderdale (@seandunderdale) July 19, 2025
Charlie Partridge was a real champion of BBC local radio. His death was announced this weekend. When he left the BBC in 2020 he gave this interview to BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Melvyn Prior https://t.co/YbXoGpRMwv
— Andy Walmsley (@Radiojottings) July 20, 2025
Charlie Partridge BBC career:
- Charlie was a presenter at BBC Radio Humberside in the 1980s and after stints at Radio Essex and Leicester – returned to run Radio Lincolnshire in the late 90s – a post he held for more than 20 years. Charlie retired from the BBC at the end of 2020.
- At BBC Radio Lincolnshire he was the one who thought of creating a Lincolnshire Day and designing a Lincolnshire flag. He backed big ideas like the Dambuster’s 70th anniversary dramatisation, along with a moving performance at RAF Scampton, in front of the veteran crew member Johnny Johnson.
- With LipDub Lincoln he created a unique community event through the heart of Lincoln was a triumph which won new audiences and a Gilliard award for Digital innovation. It was the 13 year anniversary this week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7arQ5Ialtw
- Charlie also loved football and his passion resulted in his bringing back Lincoln City and Boston United commentary.
- He was an incredible font of knowledge and story-telling; he loved talking to people.