Alma Player obituary

Alma Player, right, with her mother, Vera. As assistant producer on the Old Grey Whistle Test, Alma encouraged and supported musicians such as David Bowie and Elton John early in their career Photograph: none

My mother, Alma Player, who has died aged 90, was an assistant producer on the BBC2 music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test, working on the show from its first broadcast in 1971 to the last, in 1988.

She was on hand to offer support to some of the young, up-and-coming musicians making their first appearance on live television on the show. Many were to become household names, among them David Bowie, Meat Loaf, the Police and Elton John. Alma was there at the beginning with a smile and words of encouragement.