Veteran DJ Alan "Fluff" Freeman, whose "Not 'arf" catchphrase made him a household name, has died aged 79.

The former BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 presenter had been living in a nursing home in London since 2000 after being diagnosed with arthritis.

Freeman joined the BBC in 1960 after a spell working in his native Australia.

His Pick of the Pops programme - with its distinctive theme tune and his "greetings, pop pickers" introduction - saw him become one of the UK's top DJs.

The broadcaster died peacefully at Brinsworth House in Twickenham, London.

Born in Australia in 1927, Freeman came to Britain in 1957 after working as an announcer on Melbourne's 3KZ.

Within six months he made contact with Radio Luxembourg and was employed as a summer relief disc jockey.

He joined the BBC's Light Programme two years later and established his show Records Around Five.

Freeman went on to enjoy 50 years in the industry and counted John Peel, Robert Plant, Noel Edmonds, Paul McCartney and Chris Tarrant among his friends.

His Pick of the Pops show assumed its regular placing at Sunday teatime throughout the sixties and he made regular appearances on Top of the Pops.

R.I.P.  :\'(

Very tragic (although he had been ill for some while)...another 'legend' and a true original gone...

RIP 'Fluff'...

I have a fond memory of Alan "Fluff" Freeman, for he was the DJ that presented the only Radio1 Roadshow I attended during the 70s.

:(

I was reading about his death in the paper today and I have to say - even tho he was an aussie - I have seriously never heard of him !

I heard this tragic news earlier in the week. My Mum loved listening to Pick of the Pops on BBC Radio 2. RIP Alan "Fluff Freeman.