Heartfelt tributes have been poured in for a well-loved Derbyshire radio presenter and journalist. Mike Carey presented on BBC Radio Derby for almost 20 years with his popular afternoon show Memorable Melodies.
But on Monday (May 22) the radio station sadly confirmed the presenter's death. It came after Derbyshire Police released a statement saying that the 87-year-old had passed away after being rescued from the River Derwent near Darley Abbey Mills on Saturday, May 20.
It is understood that Mr Carey had problems with his vision in his latter years and walked his dog in Darley Park, Derbyshire Live reports.
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The journalist began his career at the Derby Telegraph before becoming the Daily Telegraph's chief cricket correspondent. He then went on to become most known in Derby for his popular afternoon show, Memorable Melodies, on BBC Radio Derby.
In his teenage years, Mr Carey became a familiar face to everyone at the Derbyshire County Cricket Club. He would often be accompanied by his dog and was never afraid to make forthright views about the game.
He reported on cricket in Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa, covering England’s international tours, and wrote for the Guardian, the Independent and the Daily Telegraph. He also worked with the BBC’s Test Match Special commentary team.
Mr Carey's media skills were noticed by Derbyshire CCC who appointed him as the club’s press officer in the 1970s. A measure of Mr Carey's influence on Derbyshire CCC was that for two decades the Mike Carey XI played an end-of-season cricket match against Duffield at Eyes Meadow, raising funds for charity.
Professionally, Mr Carey managed to rise to the very top in his career as a journalist, commentating on cricket on both radio and television. His broadcast skills were then taken up by BBC Radio Derby on his show Memorable Melodies until his retirement a few years ago.
A spokesperson for BBC Radio Derby said: "Mike was a former presenter on BBC Radio Derby for almost 20 years, where he hosted Memorable Melodies on Sunday afternoons. He loved being on the radio and having the opportunity to share his passion for music."
On Facebook, James Allen wrote: "Mike was a lovely man. I used to bump into him on a Sunday when I did a weekend shift in the newsroom as he was preparing for his programme and often used to see him out and about walking his Labradors."
Dan Davis said: "I used to speak to Mike most days when he came into my work place, a lovely lovely man. Thoughts with his family." Mr Carey's family has asked for privacy.
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