Jenny Collins, who helped launch BBC Radio Merseyside in 1967 and worked as Senior Producer for many years, has died. Colleague Roger Lyon paid tribute to the founding member.Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
19:04, 02 Jan 2026Updated 21:00, 02 Jan 2026
BBC Radio Merseyside’s Jenny Collins has died(Image: BBC )
A BBC radio icon has died, with a colleague paying a heartfelt tribute. Jenny Collins was among the original team that launched BBC Radio Merseyside in 1967, where she dedicated many years of service.
The station was the third BBC Local Radio outlet to begin broadcasting, going live on 22 November 1967 from Commerce House in Liverpool.
BBC Radio Merseyside broadcaster Roger Lyon shared on Facebook: “Very sad to hear today of the passing of one of the founding members of Radio Merseyside, the lovely Jenny Collins.
“She was there at the start in 1967 and performed many duties both in front of and behind the mike. I still have letters that we swapped in the mid-90s when I was living and working in Oz, and she was acting Programme Controller, planning what shows I could do on RM when I returned.”
Colleagues and listeners paid tribute to Jenny (right)
“The last time I saw her was about 4 years ago when she was my guest on RM chatting about her career working there. She was married to Steve Voce who for many years presented a Jazz Programme called Jazz Panorama. She had a great broadcasting voice and was a genuinely lovely person. RIP.”
His followers quickly responded with their own memories, as one fan commented: “Oh sad I remember listening to Jenny,” whilst another wrote: “Very sad news RE Jenny Collins, she had a “radio voice” one of the first presenters I heard when RM opened.”
A third listener concurred: “The lady with the most incredible voice ever – an integral part to the sation. So sad to hear this news.” One individual shared: “Nice words Roger. Remember in the early 90’s, Jenny packed me off to London for a week on a Presenter course. Always believed it was the leg up to my 30 years with BBC Merseyside. RIP Jenny.”
Jenny was a founding member of BBC Radio Merseyside, based in Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A fan also expressed their condolences on a Radio Merseyside fan page, writing: “Sad news as I note the death of an original Radio Merseyside stalwart.”
Another went on to add: “She did a poetry programme and if she needed a story or poem recording and spotted you, she had a persuasive manner and you couldn’t say no. Lovely lady. RIP Jenny.”
Jenny’s famous husband Steve Voce died in 2023(Image: BSL Gray)
Another heartbroken listener commented: “What very sad news indeed. I certainly remember her from the early days of Radio Merseyside and I seem to recall she presented a programme for a good while which was aimed specifically at younger listeners.”
Jenny Collins was part of the team which launched the station in 1967 and was Senior Producer for many years, and presented programmes including Junior Spin. She had been married to the station’s former jazz show presenter, the late Steve Voce.”
Jenny’s husband Steve Voce, who was a respected jazz critic and broadcaster, died in 2023.
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