David Fitzgerald leaves Radio Devon: 'BBC's loss is our gain'

Tributes to BBC Radio Devon legend Fitz after being made redundant

The cards in the BBC Radio Devon recording studio said it all.

Listeners, supporters, followers, friends and fans were saying thanks and a sad farewell to local broadcasting icon David ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald.

For some the news had never really sunk in when it was first announced a couple of months ago. But now it was for real - radio legend David Fitzgerald was leaving and has left the Beeb after presenting a morning show loved by thousands of people where countless hours of requested tunes were played and some of the most rich, famous, bravest - and crankiest people in Devon were interviewed.

'Fitz' was told he was being made redundant just a short while after being taken ill with a heart scare while on air. Typically, he was back wearing the headset within weeks.

Posting a short video on X (formerly Twitter), showing cards he had been sent by listeners, Fitz said: “I have to say, thank you very much for all the cards that have arrived here at BBC Radio Devon, it really has been most touching.”

He left the station on Friday (October 20) and has no idea what he is going to be doing in the future, but he added: “I have a sneaking suspicion you haven’t heard the last of me yet.”

No surprise there as Fitz has many other strings to his bow and has become a celebrity in his own right.

He has hosted and compered more awards events, dinners, charity events, auctions and fund-raising spectacles than he has had hot dinners in the BBC canteen.

Fitz started in radio in 1980, moving through Independent Local Radio and into television by 1986. Based with TSW in Plymouth, he started working on the production side of programmes and soon made a name for himself as a scriptwriter.

By 1994 he had joined the presentation side of Sky News and covered every major world event from the arrest of OJ Simpson to the Waco siege and the Oklahoma bombings.

He also covered the death of Princess Diana, elections, wars, royal weddings and every global and national headline-making story for seven years.

Besides presenting shows for the BBC, he has also written for Spitting Image, won The Olympic Committee's award for television production for The Red Arrows Documentary and even appeared as a question in Trivial Pursuit.

Fitz was at his best as a host to some of the West Country's and Devon's biggest award programmes and events.

He is renowned for his quick one-liners and dry sense of humour, putting people at ease when they are sometimes at their most nervous. Above he was and is the consummate professional.

Chris Coward, managing director of Exeter Today owner Clear Sky Publishing, got to know Fitz well over a number of years.

He said: "Since moving down to Devon in 2002, Fitz has become one of my closest friends. Professionally he has been a massive help in all we have achieved at the newspaper titles in the South West under their different ownership structures, but personally he is amongst the warmest, most generous and funniest people I have been privileged to know.

"Right from the first event we ever did together, the inaugural Plymouth Sports Awards in 2002 to the Torbay Business Awards last year I can safely say that as an MC and compere there is no one better. He absolutely adds value to every event he is involved in.

“His sense of humour is unparalleled but also the warmth and humility he has shown to all has been a sight to behold. I have known people incredibly nervous before they have gone on stage and walked off in absolute joy and confidence five minutes later because of the Fitz magic.

“Whether he is interviewing a professional sports star, Olympian, or a community awards winner less fortunate than himself he creates the same rapport. Whether he MCs an event with 500 city lawyers or an awards event at a school in North Devon, the audience will walk away equally happy.

"Through him I have also been extremely fortunate to meet the inspirational Falklands veteran and hero Simon Weston on many occasions and no matter how many times I see their double act it never gets less interesting, uplifting, or entertaining. It is incredible how much money those two have raised at their events for such worthy charities.

"We have shared lots of moments of deep personal reflection at times of illness or difficulty within our lives but have shared a million more laughs about the characters we know and meet, the horses we have backed and the football teams we follow. Fitz is as compassionate a guy as you will ever meet. His radio show has been an extension of his personality and very self.

"The BBC’s loss will be society's gain as Fitz will have more time to devote to the people and the causes he cares for. Close colleagues are united in acknowledging the 'Fitz Effect'.”

Jim Parker, editor of the Gazette’s sister paper Torbay Weekly, has worked alongside Fitz at several awards events. He said: "He is the true professional and an absolute joy to work with.

"He sets the mood for all the events he hosts to make them the successes they are. Funny, sarcastic, yet deadly serious and compassionate when he has to be - a showman in his own right and great character."

Chris Hart, CEO of West Country solicitors Wollens, has used Fitz to front several awards, not least the Devon and Somerset Law Society's DASLS awards.

Chris said his abiding perception of Fitz during his time with the BBC has been one of Fitz always having time for people, however busy he might be preparing, presenting or entertaining.

Chris said: “Fitz has a real skill at both putting people at their ease, and also drawing out from them the most interesting insights and information in a relaxed and comfortable manner. I’ve worked with Fitz at tourism events, Agatha Christie Festival events, awards dinners, and media events, and on every occasion he’s been the consummate professional.

“He has the wonderful ability to be able to deal with both humorous situations and the most serious of stories or interviews with the same expertise. Alongside my professional dealings with Fitz it’s been a great pleasure for my wife Liz and I to get to know Fitz and Karen as friends, and whilst Fitz is leaving the BBC, I very much hope and expect that this will be a new start for Fitz in terms of his work and involvement in our communities, and we will see a lot more of him in the years to come.”

Angela and Chris Williams are regular listeners of Fitz's programme. They said: "We find his interviews very interesting and entertaining on a wide variety of topics. The way he presents his competitions has us in stitches with the winners potentially winning 'a pile of tut' at the end of the week. Fitz is very knowledgeable and his humour is infectious. We will miss our daily intake of Fitz."

Thankfully, Fitz is only leaving the radio but staying in the Devon community and is more committed than ever to helping stage things to enjoy and celebrate.
Radio, although it is what has made him famous in Devon, is only a small part of what he is. Hopefully, we will see even more of him.