TRIBUTES have poured in for a popular and “full of fun” former radio presenter who died this week..

Dave Barrett, known to listeners across the region for his late night show on GWR FM, died suddenly on Monday.

The smooth-voiced radio stalwart kept listeners tuning in for more than three decades with his work at BBC Radio Bristol, GWR, Brunel FM as well as GLR in London and talkRADIO.

Dave’s hugely successful slot on GWR, where listeners rang in with their problems, achieved the highest audience figures of any late-night phone-in programme in the country.

Shirley Ludford of community radio station Swindon 105.5 met Dave in the early 1980s when they worked at Wiltshire Radio (later GWR) in Lime Kiln, Royal Wootton Bassett. She paid tribute to Dave’s mischievous sense of humour and his reputation as a serial prankster.

“He was full of fun, he had a mischievous streak which he liked to use to his best advantage and we hit it off straight away,” she said.

“He was also a very thoughtful, kind and caring person. That’s what shone through. He could take a little while to come out of his shell but when he got behind the mic he came alive.”

Shirley recalled a memorable occasion where the duo convinced listeners they were broadcasting live from fictional seaside town ‘Little Boghampton’.

“We included seaside noises like waves crashing on the shore, seagulls and people believed it which Dave thought was hilarious.

“Another time he convinced listeners that that they were building a swimming pool on top of the Radio Oxford building, At one point there was a helicopter flying over to check if it was true. He also convinced some ladies to put on their swimming costumes for the opening. Then we put splashing effects to sound like they jumped in. It was so funny. He was a lovely man and I am sure he will be missed by many.”

Swindon 105.5 presenter Dave Woods also paid his respects

“I had the pleasure of being his BA on occasions at Wiltshire Sound and also remember listening to him on Wiltshire Radio/GWR and his late night phone- ins. Thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

The popular radio presenter proved to be a hero after he saved the life of a listener who had taken an overdose and called into his late night show. Dave managed to persuade the man to reveal where he was so an ambulance could be sent.

After he left GWR, he crossed over into television and hosted talk shows on HTV/ITV. Before he ventured into the world of radio he was an entertainment manager on a cruise ship.

In later years Dave and his partner Andy moved to Thailand before settling in Spain three years ago.

There, Dave became a successful voiceover artist with his friendly voice heard all over the world.