LONDON, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The BBC denies claims from one of its radio hosts that legendary disc jockey John Peel was literally worked to death.
Radio 3 world music host Andy Kershaw based his assertions on a conversation he had with Peel, 65, prior to his death Monday of a heart attack, the Times of London reported Thursday.
"The last time I saw him he looked absolutely worn out. We went to a café near Radio 1 and I said, 'John, you look terrible,'" Kershaw said.
"He said 'They've moved me to 11 p.m. to 1 at night and the combination of that and 'Home Truths' (Peel's Radio 4 show) is killing me.' He felt he had been marginalized," Kershaw said.
Peel had broadcast his show from 10 p.m. to midnight until July, when executives bumped him an hour later reportedly to give more time to a new show.
BBC authorities rejected the notion.
"It is extremely distressing that Andy should say this. John was fully supportive of the changes -- he even said that the late finish meant clearer roads when he drove back to East Anglia," one BBC executive said.
