Tributes are being paid to former Manx Radio senior producer Charles Webster, who has been described as a ‘true Manx character’ following his death.

Mr Webster began working for Manx Radio in 1965, just months after the station first went on air, and went on to play a major role in its development during a career spanning almost four decades.

Manx Radio said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of its ‘friend and former colleague’.

He started out working from the station’s famous caravan studio before helping longtime colleague Ewan Leeming build the ‘aquarium’ studios on Douglas Promenade.

The pair also worked around the clock at transmitter sites around the island during the early days of broadcasting, when equipment had to be switched on and off manually each day.

Mr Webster was also heavily involved in some of Manx Radio’s earliest TT race commentaries.

The station said he had ‘some fascinating stories’ about how race results and timings were gathered and made it to air.

He later moved into the programming department and became Manx Radio’s senior producer, producing thousands of programmes and outside broadcasts.

His work included The Geraldine Jamieson Interview, Sunday Opinion, The Farming Programme, Tynwald Day coverage, Royal visits and election night specials.

Manx Radio said: ‘It’s impossible to summarise his contribution to Manx Radio in just a few paragraphs.’

It added that even a brief look through the station’s history showed the ‘vital part’ he played in shaping its infrastructure and sound.

Mr Webster retired from Manx Radio in 2002.

The Webster family was also closely connected with the station.

His wife June, who died in 2023, worked on the weekend reception desk for many years, while their daughters Kate and Lucy helped with sports reports on Saturday afternoons.

Both went on to careers in the media, with Kate still working for ITV after more than 20 years.

Manx Radio said this reflected the interest in media Mr Webster had instilled in his family.

Among those paying tribute is Manx.news and Energy FM founder Juan Turner, who worked alongside Mr Webster at Manx Radio.

He said: ‘My radio career owes so much to this wonderful man. Charlie and I were a team at Manx Radio and he was so much fun to be on a job with. Some of his stories were just epic.’

Mr Turner described Mr Webster as a friend and praised him as ‘such a super person’ and a ‘very doting father and grandfather’.

He also reflected on seeing Mr Webster just a few weeks ago and said he had promised to visit him for a catch-up.

‘And now it’s too late,’ he said.

‘Make time when you can. People always fanfare those who have gone, but in Charlie’s case the fanfare is thoroughly deserved.’

Isle of Man Television’s Paul Moulton also paid tribute, describing Mr Webster simply as: ‘Charlie was Manx Radio for me.’

Mr Moulton recalled joining Mr Webster and presenter Pat Corey during his first holiday job, travelling around the island gathering stories for her weekday Roundabout programme.

He later worked with Mr Webster on Newscene at One, describing it as an ‘ambitious new show’ with Mr Webster producing alongside Terry Cringle and other newsroom figures.

Mr Moulton said Mr Webster was a ‘great mentor’ who had a profound influence on his career.

He added that even later in life, when Mr Webster worked at M&S, he ‘lit up the room with his outlook on life’.

Mr Moulton said he was sad he never managed to interview Mr Webster about his life, despite plans to do so.

Manx Radio said Mr Webster ‘will be very much missed’, extending its ‘deepest condolences to Charlie’s family and friends’.