After the announcement of the death of Gavin Ford, his relatives testify – Christophe MINA

The announcement Tuesday of the brutal death of British radio host Gavin Ford at his home, two days after his 53rd birthday, has deeply shocked many of us, especially his colleagues and his regular listeners. Regulars of the very popular Radio One show "Gavin Ford in the Morning", co-animated with Olga Habre, feel today a deep sadness caused by the disappearance of the one who rhythmed with spirit and good humor their daily life.

"A whole generation grew up with him"

Najy Cherabieh, managing director of Virgin Radio Lebanon and close to Gavin Ford, agreed to entrust his testimony to L'Orient-Le Jour. He met Gavin in 1993 when he was programming director for Radio One and in charge of the British broadcaster's program. He has worked closely with him for more than 15 years, especially during the last months of his life. "He's a longtime friend and colleague. He was very professional, very kind and without a doubt one of the nicest and nicest people we can meet, "he says with emotion. He recalls that "a whole generation grew up with Gavin" and hopes "people will remember who he was on the radio, the man they grew up with and his reputation will not be tainted by false rumors".

Roy Malakian, producer of the Gavin show, current director of music and programming for Radio One, also evokes the personality of the radio host he met in 2003 and with whom he collaborated in 2008 to his disappearance. "Gavin was someone very nice and nice. He helped everyone he could in the world of radio, "he says. "This man was a real artist, in everyday life and behind the microphone. He was more than just a moderator. I worked with a lot of people, but he always knew what he wanted in every detail, especially when it came to music. This is very rare. Any radio station should learn from its work. He goes on to mention the perfectionism that characterized Gavin's personality: "If there was the slightest mistake, he pointed it out right away and it could even make him mad," he recalls. "To have known him for 15 years … it's very difficult. When I woke up, it was the first person I saw. Working for him was the first and only thing I did on the radio. "What do you want ? How should I fix that? "For 15 years …"

A man passionate about his job

The messages deploring his sudden disappearance abounded on social networks. Thus, one of the regulars in his morning, which was broadcast Monday to Friday from 7am to 10am, wrote on Twitter: "Goodbye Gavin, no more morning will be the same without you. You always illuminated our days with your humor, your jokes and also your complaints … We will miss you very much. Another deplored: "We have lost one of the pillars of the Lebanese media industry. "

Some recalled his connection with Lebanon, despite his British nationality and the fact that he did not speak Arabic, a language he found too difficult. He who lived in Beit-Mery, in the Metn, is thus described as "a man who loved Lebanon". In addition to the messages of condolence, Internet users were indignant at the spread of an image of his lifeless body after he was probably strangled and hit in the face.

In an interview with L'Orient-Le Jour a year ago, we learned that Gavin had been a radio enthusiast since childhood. He confided to the newspaper that he then had his own recording studio, which he had installed and where he made fictitious shows recorded on tape. Growing up, he studied at the National Broadcasting School in London, before working in Lebanon for Radio One. He was an original animator, passionate and perfectionist according to his colleagues, always attentive to the variety of content he proposed, but aware of the limits not to cross with his audience.