Radio chief forced to retire after suffering rare ear condition

RADIO chief Jay Crawford has been forced to retire after a rare condition left him battling deafness.

Real Radio Scotland staff were informed yesterday that their popular controller – known as Bossman Jay – would not be returning to work.

The former DJ from Edinburgh lost his hearing in his right ear after flying to Mauritius on holiday in November 2010.

Doctors told the 57-year-old that his condition – labyrinthitis – might have been caused by deep vein thrombosis on the long-haul flight, it was reported today.

It has left him struggling with balance and movement.

Last night, he reportedly said: “I find loud noise very difficult to deal with so I don’t think I’ll ever be at a concert again.

“That’s sad to think of, especially when I think of some of the gigs I’ve been to over the years – front row at the Rolling Stones, meeting Paul McCartney back stage at a Wings concert.”

He added: “I’m sad to be leaving work, they’ve been incredibly supportive.”

Jay was not at Real Radio’s headquarters in Glasgow for the announcement but was bombarded afterwards with messages from former colleagues and industry figures, including ex-Radio 1 DJ David “Kid” Jensen.

Jay said: “I would have found it too emotional to say goodbye. I would rather just go quietly.”