Tributes paid after death of “legendary” former NME Editor and football broadcaster Danny Kelly: “His passion for football, music and life was infectious”

Tributes have been pouring in for “legendary” former NME Editor and football broadcaster Danny Kelly, who has died aged 69.

Kelly first made a name for himself in journalism by contributing to NME in his 20s, before becoming an editor at the end of the ‘80s until 1992. He later went on to become editor at Q magazine where he was named as British magazine editor of the year.

Towards the end of the ‘90s, he made the shift over to the world of sports journalism, launching the online platform Football365, before helping to develop and host the weekly football podcast The Game, for The Times.

My great friend, supreme broadcaster and funniest man I ever knew, Danny Kelly, died yesterday afternoon.
I cannot believe I will never hear his voice again. pic.twitter.com/b5Kjq9VMeV

— Danny Baker (@prodnose) November 11, 2026

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He worked with TalkSport as a presenter for nearly 20 years, and over the past 15 years, he was best recognised as a host of the Spurs podcast The View From The Lane. He had been receiving treatment for oesophageal cancer.

Tributes have been coming in online, including from past colleagues commending his talent and passion for both music and sport.

Fellow former NME Editor Conor McNicholas told NME: “Danny was a legend at NME long before I got there. He had music running through his veins and his page craft was superb. But it was the joy and laughter he brought to the job that won him so much loyalty and love. The NME wouldn’t be the NME without Danny. He’ll be royally missed.”

Comedy writer, DJ and journalist Danny Baker looked back at his time working with Kelly, calling him his “great friend, supreme broadcaster and funniest man I ever knew”. He also said that he “cannot believe I will never hear his voice again”.

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TalkSport shared a statement saying that Kelly was a “cherished part of TalkSport for so many years” and left “heartbroken” by the news.

“Danny brought extraordinary wit, warmth and knowledge to our airwaves. His passion for football, music and life was infectious, and his kindness touched everyone around him,” they added, while former Sky Sports news host Richard Keys described him as “warm, witty and knowledgeable”.

Tottenham Hotspur paid tribute too, writing: “The entire Tottenham family mourns the loss of one of our own, broadcasting legend Danny Kelly. Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

Journalist and his partner Alex Clarke added: “My dearest love: I could talk about you forever and I probably will. But the only thing I need to say is thank you” she also shared a photo of him, showing him “making me laugh as you did every day for 21 years”.

The Guardian’s John Harris shared: “Danny Kelly was a master of magazines, and in his pomp at the NME & Q, a real seer of where pop culture was headed. RIP. I’m now trying to find the Smiths piece that shows how great a writer he also was,” while photographer Kevin Cummins praised him as “the funniest man I ever worked with” and someone who “gave me loads of support and encouragement at the NME, in fact he was a huge influence on my career generally”.

Check out more tributes below.

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Incredibly sad news-a brilliant broadcaster-writer-ideas factory-Danny was editor of the NME when we first started getting press-a wonderful man-his musical knowledge was vast and deep-his radio voice has been part of our lives for so long-Trans Europe Express became essential… https://t.co/daMqqxKZaf

— Manic Street Preachers (@Manics) November 11, 2026

Also paying tribute were Manic Street Preachers who called Kelly “a brilliant broadcaster-writer-ideas factory”.

“Danny was editor of the NME when we first started getting press, a wonderful man, his musical knowledge was vast and deep, his radio voice has been part of our lives for so long… We will all miss him,” wrote bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire.

Elsewhere, Irish musician and film producer Philip King described Kelly as someone who “sprinkled his irreverent and pompous puncturing humour – whilst making sure the cogs of the paper kept turning smoothly every week”, and The Athletic FC reporter Jay Harris called his co-worker “funny, kind and [someone who] brought the best out of everyone around him”.

Radio and television presenter Terry Christian also paid his respects, celebrating Kelly as “one of the great cultural commentators and genuinely good people”.