Beloved Manchester radio host Stu Allan has died following cancer battle

Manchester producer, DJ, and radio host Stu Allan has passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 60 years old.

The beloved musician was diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago and had been “ill for some time” according to his family, who announced his passing last night.

"It is with much sadness that we write this message to let you know that Stu has passed away today,” Stu’s family posted on Facebook yesterday (September 22).

“As you know, he has been ill for a while now, and has been battling cancer for almost a year. While we’re so sad he is no longer with us, we are relieved he is finally at peace, after his illness.”

Originally from Anglesey, Wales, Stu Allan picked up and moved to Manchester early in his career where he became an integral part of the nightlife scene - and was one of the first DJs to introduce Chicago house to the UK.

During his career, Stu Allan hosted shows on both Piccadilly Radio and Key 103, and was part of the ‘90s group Clock making Eurodance and pop hits until they parted ways in ’99.

“We will be holding a memorial event in Stu’s memory sometime soon, where we can all celebrate his amazing life,” Stu’s family added. “But for now Alison, Paul, Gary and Stu’s family need time to come to terms with their loss.”

Multitudes of friends and fellow musicians have paid their tributes to Stu on social media. 808 State, who worked alongside Stu in the ‘90s, paid their respects on Facebook: “Stu Allen was very an important voice in Manchesters history of electronic music broadcasting.

“His local radio shows were a gateway for me and other 808 State members to hear the sound of Chicago and Detroit in the late 1980s. Stu was the guy we took our test pressings to first,” they said. "It was Stu that came up with the Guy Called Gerald moniker by introducing him as such.”

Read some more tributes to Stu below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter