David Jacobs: 1926-2013

The first presenter of the BBC’s ‘Official Chart Show’ and original Top Of The Pops host, David Jacobs, has died.

OfficialCharts.com is sad to learn of the passing of David Jacobs. The veteran broadcaster, whose career spanned seven decades, died at home surrounded by his family yesterday (Monday, September 2). He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and had also been battling cancer of the liver. He was 87 years old.

Jacobs began his broadcasting career as a staff announcer on BBC radio back in the 1950s. He would later go on to host Pick Of The Pops, the forerunner to the Official Chart Show. He hosted music panel show Juke Box Jury for BBC television, and became one of the four original presenters of Top Of The Pops when it began in 1964. Jacobs also presented A Song For Europe, and provided commentary on the Eurovision Song Contest, from1957 to 1966.

Jacobs stepped down from his BBC Radio 2 show, The David Jacobs Collection, in July of this year citing poor health.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.