A RADIO DJ who has worked in Essex’s blues music scene for more than a decade has died.

Tributes have poured in for DJ and radio presenter Mike Lightfoot, from Stanford-le-Hope.

Described as a gentle man with a passion for music, Mike worked at Maldon radio station Saint FM and as house DJ at the New Crawdaddy Blues Club, in Billericay, for ten years.

Blues at the Barns organiser Tim Aves said: “How very sad and shocking to hear this morning of the death, from a heart attack, of my dear old pal and fellow blues DJ Mike Lightfoot.

“In the dozen or so years I knew him, Mike never enjoyed the best of health - indeed, he had a history of heart trouble.

“All the same, this news is truly shocking.

“Only last Friday he was standing at the back at the Chris Corcoran gig in Maldon, seemingly on fine form and loving every minute of the show.

“Mike was a thoroughly good man and a true music fan who supported live music, going to two or three gigs a week.

“He was, equally, a lover of blues and rock, with an encyclopaedic knowledge and an incredible CD collection."

Mr Aves added: “It was through his DJing between band sets there that he came to broadcasting.

“When I needed someone to cover my blues show on Saint FM, Mike jumped at the chance.

“A lesser man might have regarded a troublesome stammer as a barrier to broadcasting, but not Mike.

“He took it in his stride and his passion for the music shone through.

“He went on to take over the show, then add a two-hour rock show to his on-air accomplishments.”

“He was broadcasting for a marathon four-hour stint each Sunday by the time Saint came off the air earlier this year.

Away from music, Mike is described as a “diligent and passionate trade union official, a good socialist, an ardent European and a massively dedicated Southend United fan”.

Mr Aves added: “Goodbye Mike. The world is a poorer place for your passing.”

Crawdaddy club promoter Paul Dean added: “Mike first attended the New Crawdaddy Blues Club as a punter back in 2006, fulfilling his love for live music, and became a regular attendee and supporter of the club from that time onwards.

“When our regular MC and disc spinner, fellow DJ Ashwyn Smyth, left to retire to France in June 2008, Mike volunteered to fill that role and has been a valued member of the New Crawdaddy crew ever since.

“In that time, he has become an ever present at many gigs far and wide in his desire to support every form of live music and, as a result, has made a vast number of like-minded friends due to his in-depth knowledge of music, his passion and enthusiasm for the art and his infectious sense of humour.

“He will be sadly missed, not just as a valued member of the crew, but as a genuinely nice man.”