Gary Burgess (13 November 1975 – 1 January 2022) was a British broadcaster and journalist, latterly in the Channel Islands where his freelance work on regional television, local radio and a newspaper led him to become known as a community champion who shared openly about his experiences of cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome.
[2] After leaving school at age 17, he started his broadcasting career in 1992, making cups of tea from 1 a.m. until 7 a.m. during the overnight show[2] at Blackpool's new station Radio Wave 96.5.
[2] He set the world record for the longest breakfast show, broadcasting for 76 hours and raising tens of thousands of pounds for a new local cancer facility.
In January 2017, he was signed off work for 18 months and was eventually diagnosed as having myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome.
[2] In October 2019, a CT scan showed five inoperable tumours between his lungs and around his trachea and oesophagus, requiring salvage therapy.
[18] On 3 November 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Burgess was told in a video call with his oncology consultant in Southampton that his cancer was terminal with no treatment available, and that he would have six to twelve months to live.
[9] Shortly after his final ITV report and radio show, he was awarded a Silver Seal by Jersey's Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq, in recognition of his contribution to island life.
[20] Burgess had been open about his experience of cancer through a blog, newspaper articles and television interviews[21] and sought to address a taboo about death.