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Sir Terry Wogan was well known in the radio industry for doing very little show prep. He just turned up and broadcast his radio magic. Gary Burgess was like that.
He was always across the news locally and internationally and so was always well prepared for any topic, meaning he could just turn up and enjoy himself.
This innate interest in current affairs coupled with his genuine love of talking to everyone made him an immensely skilled broadcaster.
Radio was in his blood. One of his final jobs was presenting a Sunday morning show on Channel 103 and he simply loved it.
Pictured: Gary, presenting his Sunday show on Channel 103, during one of Jersey's lockdown periods in 2020. Gary loved taking selfies, and this was one he posted to Facebook.
When Bailiwick Express launched its radio stations and news podcasts, he sent me a message to say it was ‘about time too'. Gary never feared competition like many within the media industry do. He embraced it and he savoured it, as a listener, a reader and a viewer.
He had an enormous appetite for seeking out and absorbing information. He would sometimes message to say that he liked a story published by Bailiwick Express. He would also point out errors. He wanted everyone to be the best they could be. Then he’d smile, suggest another coffee or cocktail and move on to the next topic with ease.
Pictured: Gary moved from radio to television with ITV. He was a respected broadcaster in both disciplines, and will be missed by colleagues across the islands and elsewhere at he many places he worked.
Gary was not a perfect man. I know his colleagues and former colleagues have all shared many a collective sigh over something he had done or said or tweeted. He could be infuriating, but with that grin on his face he was liked by everyone he worked with.
Two of his friends from his time at Island FM were among his very best friends: Carolyn Le Maitre and Susie Campanella. James Bentley came to Guernsey after working with Gary at Radio Wave and he’s been at the helm of Island FM for more than a decade now.
Aside from the people he loved and influenced, the very walls of Island FM have Gary’s mark on them. He painted the studio a most vile shade of yellow, and he didn’t even paint behind the CD racks, so when they came down the walls were a mismatch of yellow and blue.
Pictured: Gary and his friends Susie Campanella (inset bottom left), James Bentley, and Carolyn Le Maitre.
BBC Guernsey recognised Gary’s talent and, after a brief spell back in the UK, he made his mark there too.
One of the seminal news stories of recent years in Guernsey was the failings of the island’s midwifery services, which have now been addressed. Reading the Health Committee's annual report some years ago now, Gary noticed a very small section on infant mortality. He put them on the spot live on the BBC.
I’m not saying Gary’s investigative journalism brought about those improvements in midwifery services, but the very fact that the Health Committee of the day then refused to be interviewed by him again (which made him smile) must have played some small part.
Moving to television and then to Jersey was the making of Gary. He was always happy, but he had never seemed happier than when he was a ‘telly tart’. He took on every story from the enquiry into failings in children’s services in Jersey to giving away free hugs in St Helier with his trademark gusto.
It was also in Jersey that Gary met Alan.
Pictured: Gary Burgess marrying his soulmate, Alan.
I have met Alan only once and so I do not know him. But I believe he was the perfect partner for Gary.
A few months ago, I messaged Gary to say that I loved a photo of the pair of them at the 2021 Pride of Jersey Awards. Exuberant, confident, centre of attention Gary. Proud, supportive Alan by his side.
They seemed to me to be the perfect match. Gary said he loved the photo too.
Aside from his terminal illness, Gary faced other challenges. One he addressed publicly was the surgery that enabled him to lose a lot of weight.
I remember Gary becoming ever lighter on his feet, almost bouncing as he spoke, always excited about something, and that never left him. He once turned up in the Bailiwick Express newsroom in Guernsey. He just walked in, chatted away, bouncing with excitement, and then left. Alan was standing quietly beside him.
I last saw Gary by pure chance when we bumped into each other in St. Helier. After admonishing me for not telling him I was over, he said: “I’m glad I bumped into you, as I’ve got some news I’ll be announcing next week…”.
While I was lost for words, Gary chatted away about going to Southampton for treatment, how his dad and brother were, how supportive his ITV bosses and colleagues were, what books he had lined up to read while in hospital. He was cheerful and positive. I will always be in awe of anyone who can have such an outlook on life after being given such shattering news.
I’d known Gary for almost 20 years. We worked together, socialised and chatted many times over the years. Like others, I have dreaded this time, but let’s remember what Gary has left us with.
Pictured: Gary, with (l-r) Claire Cathcart, myself and Isla Wright, with Ben and Chrissie Chapple behind. This was a night out playing 'pub golf' with BBC Guernsey colleagues. I can't remember why, but I do remember it was a very funny night.
Gary gave good advice. He had a real ‘can do’ attitude and he supported his friends and strangers equally with that same ethos. He was self-aware and confident but with insecurities.
As his broadcasting and journalistic skills came so naturally to him, he had high standards for others. Many of us benefited from his professional guidance along with his friendship.
He made friends everywhere he went. He also frustrated some of us. We had a friendly but quite rude nickname for him at Island FM. He threw his head back laughing when I told him what it was.
I don’t ever recall him having a bad word to say about anyone.
Gary saw the goodness in everyone - and he radiated happiness and fun everywhere he went.
"You did a lot of good, Gary. A lot of good."
Islanders pay tribute to "one in a million" broadcaster
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