Former Manx Radio presented Bernie Quayle has died aged 80.

He presented The Late Show for more than 20 years, beginning in 1989.

Mr Quayle was born on January 28, 1941 at the Jane Crookall Maternity home and grew up in Upper Church Street, Douglas.

When reminiscing on his childhood years, he said: ’I was born into a world of rationing. Mum would carefully dole out our weekly allowance of sugar into individual jam jars, which we guarded zealously.’

He joined Manx Radio in 1967, working at the studios on Loch Promenade, and said of the station: ’It seems, Manx Radio is very much a family business. My father and brother worked on fitting out the Douglas Head studios when the station moved from the promenade in 1969.

’Being a presenter on Manx Radio in the 60s meant producing all kinds of features, interviews, specialist music shows as well as presenting regular daily programmes.’

Two years later he was offered a contract to work at WNOX in Knoxville, Tennessee, and he re-located to the other side of the Atlantic.

Upon arriving in the USA, Bernie was greeted by almost 2,000 people and was famously dubbed ’Sir Bernard, Knight of the Turntables’.

Whilst in the USA he worked with many major names, including the Drifters, James Brown and Diana Ross.

When he returned to the island, he began presenting the Manx Radio Late Show in 1989.

For over 20 years, he built a massively loyal listenership with requests and dedications, along with his hugely popular Brain Teasers, where a book was produced to raise money for Hospice Isle of Man.

Another lasting legacy was his trip to Miami in 1997, where Bernie recorded a set of interviews with Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.

The Bee Gees were delighted to spend time with Bernie, discussing their upbringing in the island and their mother Barbara also joined in on the conversation.

Talking about the infamous interviews, Bernie said: ’On the Late Show one night in August 1997, I mentioned that the boys were born here.

’That started people calling to say it was a myth, [and that] they had lived here in the early 70s - purely as tax dodgers. But I knew that was untrue, as I’d heard them saying it themselves, so I decided to do something about it.

’It was uproar - hilarious and a lot of fun. In all, I returned home with four hours of recorded conversations.’

Manx Radio paid tribute to Mr Quayle on Thursday, saying: ’He was a true giant of broadcasting and a legend of the late night airwaves.

’Many people have said his voice and gentle manner made him the perfect host for the Late Show - a statement well and truly backed up by his longevity in that role.

’All of us at Manx Radio send our sincere condolences to Bernie’s family and friends.’