Liverpool's 'legendary' Radio City Founder and former Granada TV journalist Terry Smith dies aged 87

The founder of Liverpool's Radio City, Terry Smith, has died following a short illness at the age of 87.Terry, who lived in Hoylake with Pamela, his wife of 37 years, had two sons and a stepdaughter.He sadly died in the early hours of Sunday morning, August 15, at Arrowe Park Hospital.The 87-year-old was a former journalist at The Sunday Express and Granada TV, before launching independent news and picture agency, Mercury Press in the early 70s.Terry founded Radio City in 1974 and was the station's Managing Director for 17 years, during which time the station won more than 40 national and international awards for news, sport and community services.He retired in 2013 after a 39 year association with Liverpool’s leading radio station.

Speaking on the day of his retirement, Terry said: “Staying in the same spot for 35 years seems incredible but it is simply due to the fact that there is nowhere in he world better to work than Liverpool and there is no better radio station than Radio City."Terry, a passionate Liverpool supporter, achieved a lifetime ambition to become a board member at his beloved club in 1992, and served there for 15 years.Terry took over as Chairman of the Empire Theatre Trust in 2015 and recently celebrated being Chairman of IRN for 30 years.Radio City was awarded the Freedom of the City in 2018 and Terry also received an honorary degree from Liverpool John Moores University in 2007.

Tributes have been pouring in for Terry following the news of his death this morning.A statement released by LFC said: "Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former director Terry Smith, aged 87."The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Terry’s family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace, Terry Smith."

The Empire Theatre Trust said it was deeply saddened to learn of the death of its chairman.A statement on behalf of the Trust said: "Terry became a director of the Empire Theatre Trust, which owns the famous theatre building in Lime Street, Liverpool, shortly after it was formed by the former Merseyside County Council in 1979."He succeeded the late Sir Philip Carter as chairman of the Trust, a registered charity, in 2015."Terry was a pivotal figure in the project to expand the theatre in 1998. He worked tirelessly to support the theatre and the arts, in particular championing the establishment of a nationally renowned creative arts programme which the theatre helps fund and run across the Liverpool City Region."

Secretary of the Empire Theatre Trust, David Morgan added: "We will miss our friend, our colleague and our leader dearly. But we will always remember him as a wonderful example to us all."His contribution to life in Liverpool, the city he grew to love so fondly, cannot be underestimated."Tributes to Terry have also been paid on social media.One man wrote: "Sorry to hear that Terry Smith ex owner of @RadioCity967 has died, he was an inspiration to many coming through the radio industry, and had been a director of @LFC."Another said: "He was on the board when David Moores was Chairman in the early 90s….. Sad news RIP Terry Smith YNWA."A third added: "A legendary name of the great years of Independent Radio."