Roy Castle's 'phenomenal legacy' 30 years after death

Fiona Castle said her husband's openness helped pave the way for change

The widow of entertainer Roy Castle has paid tribute to her husband's lasting legacy 30 years on from his death.

Castle died aged 62 in 1994 after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

The former Record Breakers presented was crucial in raising awareness of the disease and its causes and the foundation set up in his name was pivotal in the introduction of lung cancer screening.

The late trumpeter's widow Fiona told the BBC: "He said, 'If I can help somebody else I've got no right to stay silent'."

Roy Castle was well known for presenting BBC programme Record Breakers

Castle was a household name after his career as a dancer, singer, comedian and musician spanned over 30 years.

He presented the popular BBC children's programme Record Breakers for more than a decade.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1992 despite never smoking, and said he had contracted his illness after years of playing trumpet in smoky jazz clubs early in his career.

"While playing the trumpet in smoky rooms I inhaled great gulps of air... you have to fill your lungs," he said in a documentary about his disease.

In the last two years of his life and embarked on a range of charity fundraisers including a Tour of Hope which raise over £1m, two months before his death.

He died on 2 September 1994, two days after his 62nd birthday.

Roy Castle's career as an entertainer and trumpeter spanned over 30 years

'Phenomenal legacy'

Dr Emma O'Dowd, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Nottingham University NHS Trust, said Mr Castle had left a "phenomenal legacy".

She said the foundation had done "an amazing amount of good work" in providing clear information and support for lung cancer patients.

She also said the foundation had been "a catalyst" for change including the ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

Mrs Castle said she was "thrilled" when the law was passed in July 2007.

"It was so important," she said.

"We wanted to make people aware of the danger of smoking and I think we still have to continue that today with vaping," she said.

"We don't know the long term dangers of that yet, don't even take it up."