Mike Smith

Mike Smith (23 April 1955 – 01 August 2014) was a British television and radio presenter, racing driver, helicopter pilot and later successful businessman. He first joined BBC Radio One in 1975 on a freelance basis, moving on to Capital Radio in 1978. He returned to the BBC as a regular DJ in 1982, presenting the weekday early show ("shower, shave and sausage show") from 6 to 7 am on weekdays. A year later he took over the weekday lunchtime show from 11.30 am–2 pm before moving on to television where he presented Breakfast TV for two years, returning to Radio One in 1986 for the 7 - 9.30 breakfast slot, taking over from Mike Read.

He was one of the station's more affable daytime presenters and was once reported as being Princess Diana's favourite DJ. He was also a qualified helicopter pilot and in 1988 suffered a bad crash with his to-be wife Sarah Greene (also a TV presenter), which they both survived. 

Smith died in August 2014 from complications following major heart surgery.

Top of the Pops
Smith was presenter or co-presenter on Top of the Pops on the following dates:


 * 1982


 * 30 September 1982 (Radio 1 15th anniversary edition)
 * 04 November 1982 (debut solo)
 * 25 December 1982 (Christmas Day show)
 * 1983


 * 06 January 1983 (with Tommy Vance)
 * 10 March 1983 ( "   "     ")
 * 04 August 1983 (with John Peel - Peel's usual 'Ryhthm Pal' David Jensen on holiday)
 * 25 August 1983 (with Simon Bates)
 * 25 December 1983 (Christmas edition with Simon Bates, Janice Long, Andy Peebles)
 * 1984


 * 26 January 1984 (with Richard Skinner)
 * 15 March 1984 (with Simon Bates)
 * 24 May 1984 (with Janice Long)
 * 05 July 1984 (with JS)
 * 30 August 1984 (with Richard Skinner)
 * 27 September 1984 (with Peter Powell)
 * 01 November 1984 (with Gary Davies)
 * 06 December 1984 (with Mike Smith)
 * 1985


 * (sixteen appearances)
 * 1986


 * (sixteen appearances)
 * 1987


 * (sixteen appearances)
 * 1988
 * (three appearances plus)
 * 31 March 1988 (with Nicky Campbell, final show)

Radio 1 Vintage
Smith was one of the Radio 1 DJs featured in the Radio 1 Vintage one-hour specials in 2017. The Mike Smith programme was first broadcast on 01 October at 7 am. The programme was preceded by a tribute from Peter Powell and included an archive interview with Spandau Ballet who were celebrating their first no.1 single with True.