PRESENTER DEAD
Stephen Clements dead – BBC presenter dies suddenly aged 47 leaving wife and two children
BBC Radio Ulster presenter Stephen Clements has died suddenly at the age of 47.
Tributes have poured in for the married dad-of-two, who began his radio career at Citybeat before hosting Q Radio's breakfast show from 2010.
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He joined Radio Ulster in September last year, saying the move was his "dream" job.
The radio host is survived by his wife Natasha, and their two young children, Poppy and Robbie.
BBC Northern Ireland's Peter Johnston said: "We are sorry to bring you the sad news of the passing of our colleague Stephen Clements.
"Our thoughts are with Stephen's family, friends and colleagues, at this difficult time."
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Last night, Stephen shared a final heartbreaking tweet showing photos of his family, with the prayer and heart emoji symbols.
Grieving colleagues spoke of their shock after news of Stephen's death broke this afternoon.
A spokesman for Q Radio posted: "We are heartbroken today to learn that our former Q Radio Breakfast show host, colleague and friend Stephen Clements has died suddenly at the age of 47."
Fellow BBC Radio Ulster presenter Vinny Hurrell tweeted: "I really can’t believe this. RIP Stephen.
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"You’ll be missed."
Another BBC colleague, Sara Neill, wrote: "My heart is so sad. A friend, a radio husband, and the man who taught me so much about broadcasting."
Autism NI, a charity that Stephen was patron of, said: "Autism NI are saddened to hear the sad passing of our Patron Stephen Clements.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his immediate family and friends.
"Stephen was a great supporter for autism across Northern Ireland."
Autism NI are saddened to hear the sad passing of our Patron Stephen Clements.
Autism Northern Ireland
Fans also lined up to pay their respects to the presenter, who took the reins at Radio Ulster's mid-morning programme from veteran presenter Sean Coyle in 2019.
One listener wrote: "This is awful, a man I tuned to every morning for years to clear my head of all the c*** in this place - I know so many people who said the same."
Another tweeted: "So sad to hear about the lovely Stephen Clements.
"He was part of my long car journeys to work for many years and always put us in a good mood before the day started."
The bubbly presenter's Q Radio breakfast show was one of the most popular in Northern Ireland before he joined the Beeb on September 23.
Ratings leapt after he began his dream job at the BBC.
Stephen co-hosted BBC Northern Ireland's Children in Need programme in November 2019.
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He also co-presented BBC Northern Ireland TV series Open for Summer, which aired during the Open Golf Championship at Portrush, County Down in 2019.
On Monday, Stephen retweeted a video of Ricky Gervais's blistering comedy attack on Hollywood stars at the Golden Globe awards.
He called the clip "absolutely brilliant" and later hailed Juventus star Ronaldo "not of this planet".
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