'Powerhouse' broadcaster Candy Devine dies aged 85

The presenter passed away in her native Australia

One of Downtown Radio's former presenters and well-known singer, Candy Devine, has died at the age of 85.

The presenter passed away in her native Australia.

Devine was recruited as one of the first presenters for Downtown Radio station which went on air in March 1976.

She was awarded an MBE for "Services to Broadcasting and to the Community in Northern Ireland" in 2014.

'Quite some lady'

In a statement, Downtown Content Director Stuart Robinson said: "Candy was a household name on radio in Northern Ireland having been with Downtown from launch in 1976 right through until her retirement in 2013.

"Candy was a great broadcaster and communicator and was an inspiration to many aspiring broadcasters coming up through the radio industry.

"Having grown up listening to Candy, it was a great honour to work with her at Downtown."

As Downtown Radio's first programme controller, Don Anderson recruited Devine when the station began as one of the first 21 commercial stations in the UK.

He described Devine as being "quite some lady".

"Candy had a warm outgoing vivacious personality which connected immediately with her audience, whether live or on airwaves," he said.

"Her status as one of the best loved Ulster broadcasters was thus assured.

"As one of the first wave of broadcasters in a self operated studio, she was also a pioneer," Anderson added.

Colleagues have paid tribute to Devine on social media

'There will never be another'

Managing Director at R Radio Ltd and former colleague Robert Skates said Devine "was simply the best colleague, mentor and friend".

"There will never be another Candy Devine," he posted on Facebook.

Also paying tribute on social media, Downtown Radio presenter Caroline Fleck said Devine was a "powerhouse, a voice many of us grew up listening to and who was utterly professional in every way".

"They don't make them like her anymore," she said.

"A truly inspiring woman in so many ways. It was an honour to have worked with you, learn from you and call you my friend".

'A saint of a woman'

Sky News correspondent and former colleague David Blevins said Devine was "a saint of a woman".

"The term 'dulcet tones' was invented for her," he posted on X, formerly Twitter. "I'll cherish the memories of the banter we shared when I read the news on her radio show."

Former colleague John Rosborough also paid tribute to the broadcaster on X.

Rosborough said Devine was a "wonderful colleague and outstanding broadcaster, she was loved by the local audience and much missed after she returned to Australia to be with her family".

'Deeply interested in everyone she met'

Speaking to BBC News NI, Jill Ellis, who met Devine and her husband Donald McLeod in 1984, said she was a "proud family woman" and a "lady with many talents".

"Obviously her broadcasting and singing in the cabaret scene are the most obvious but she was also a music teacher, seamstress, amazing cook, artist and great listener," Ellis added.

As a friend of 40 years, Ellis said her and Devine have "so many good memories that it would take me all day" to share them.

During a phone call with Devine on Monday, she said they recalled one of the trips they went on along with their husbands.

Ellis (pictured left) and Devine were friends for 40 years

"She called my husband 'Twinnie' as their birthdays were one day and 26 years apart," Ms Ellis added.

"We celebrated many birthdays together. She would have been 86 on 4 November.

"When she lost her husband and decided to go back to Australia she moved in with us for six months, that was a very special time.

"She loved people and was deeply interested in everyone she met," Ellis shared.

In December 2022, Ellis's husband gave her the "best Christmas present ever" which was a ticket to Brisbane to visit Devine.

Although Devine was in hospital at the time of her' visit, she said it "was such a precious time".