Mike Read DJ: Career, Personal Life, and Mike Reid Confusion

If you’ve ever heard the name Mike Read and wondered whether he’s the DJ or the comedian, you’re not alone. This guide sorts out the confusion by walking through his life from BBC Radio 1 to current projects, and sets the record straight on the difference between him and Mike Reid.

Born: 1 March 1947, Bury, Lancashire ·
Career start: 1976 as a broadcaster ·
Known for: BBC Radio 1 DJ, Top of the Pops host ·
Notable song: Baby Oh Baby (1985) ·
Marital status: Married to Sue (1980–present)

Seven facts about Mike Read, one pattern: his career spans decades across radio, TV, and music, but his personal life stays remarkably private.

What happened to Mike Read?

Mike Read is very much alive and active. After leaving BBC Radio 1 in 1986, he continued to broadcast and perform. In 2020 he founded The Heritage Chart, an online station dedicated to older music, and now presents its breakfast show (AOL article). He also performed at the Wickham Festival in 2024, showing he still has a live presence.

Current activities

• Presenting the breakfast show on The Heritage Chart (AOL article)
• Making occasional festival appearances, such as Wickham 2024
• Writing and broadcasting regularly

He also hosted the final Top of the Pops show in 2006 and later worked on United DJs, an online radio station (Westmorland Gazette interview).

Recent appearances

In 2020 he gave an interview to the Westmorland Gazette discussing his life and career. His social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), shows he remains engaged with fans and music commentary.

Health and retirement

There are no reports of serious health issues. Read has not retired; he continues to broadcast and perform. The pattern: he has simply shifted from mainstream radio to niche online platforms, retaining a loyal audience.

The implication: Read’s career trajectory reflects a broader shift in radio consumption, where niche audiences sustain long-running talents.

Has Mike Read ever been married?

Yes, Mike Read has been married to his wife Sue since 1980 (Wikipedia entry). The marriage is still ongoing, and there are no reports of any other marriages.

Marriage to Sue

• Married in 1980
• Both maintain a low profile
• No public records of separation or divorce

Read rarely discusses his marriage in interviews, keeping his private life shielded. The implication: his long marriage contrasts with the often-publicised relationships of other celebrities.

Spouse details

Very little is known about Sue aside from her name and the wedding year. She has not accompanied him to many public events, and her occupation is not widely reported.

Relationship timeline

Read married Sue in 1980, just a few years after joining Radio 1. They have been together for over four decades, a rarity in the entertainment industry.

Does Mike Read have any children?

Mike Read has one son (Wikipedia entry). The son’s name has not been widely publicised, and he keeps a low profile.

Number of children

• One son
• No other children reported

Read has mentioned his son in passing during interviews but has intentionally kept details private.

Names and ages

Public records do not list the son’s name or age. This is consistent with Read’s guarded approach to family life.

Public appearances

The son has rarely appeared with Read at events. The trade-off: fans get less personal insight, but Read protects his family from media scrutiny.

The pattern: Read’s discretion around his son mirrors his overall approach to privacy.

Where does Mike Read live?

Mike Read lives in Berkshire, England (Wikipedia entry). He moved there in the 2000s after previously living in London.

Current residence

• Berkshire, England
• Suburban home, not a lavish estate

He has not publicly shared the exact location, but it is known to be in the county.

Past homes

Before Berkshire, Read lived in London, which was convenient for his BBC work. The move to Berkshire likely came after his Radio 1 days.

Property details

No specific details about his home are available. Read has not marketed his property or appeared in house tours, keeping his domestic life out of the spotlight.

What happened to Mike Reid?

Mike Reid (1940–2007) was a completely different person: a comedian and actor best known for playing Frank Butcher in EastEnders. He died of a heart attack on 29 July 2007 (Wikipedia entry).

Who is Mike Reid?

• English comedian and actor
• Born 19 January 1940 in London
• Famous for Frank Butcher role on EastEnders

Reid also appeared on shows like The Comedians and Big Break. His career was entirely in comedy and acting, not music or radio presenting.

Mike Reid comedian vs actor

He was both. He started as a stand-up comedian and later became a soap opera actor, a dual career path very different from Mike Read’s broadcasting focus.

Mike Reid cause of death

Mike Reid died of a heart attack at age 67. The confusion between the two Mikes persists because of the similar names and overlapping eras in British entertainment.

The implication: this confusion is so persistent that even search engines sometimes conflate the two profiles.

Timeline signal

• 1951 – Born in Bury, Lancashire (some sources say 1947) (Wikipedia entry)
• 1976 – Began broadcasting career (Wikipedia entry)
• 1978 – Joined BBC Radio 1 (John Miles Organisation biography)
• 1978–1986 – Hosted Top of the Pops (Wikipedia entry)
• 1980 – Married Sue (Wikipedia entry)
• 1985 – Released single “Baby Oh Baby” (Wikipedia entry)
• 1986 – Left Radio 1 Breakfast Show (Westmorland Gazette interview)
• 2006 – Hosted final Top of the Pops show (Westmorland Gazette interview)
• 2020 – Founded The Heritage Chart (AOL article)

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Mike Read is alive and active (AOL article)
• He was a BBC Radio 1 DJ (Wikipedia entry)
• He hosted Top of the Pops (Wikipedia entry)
• He married Sue in 1980 (Wikipedia entry)
• He has one son (Wikipedia entry)
• He lives in Berkshire (Wikipedia entry)
• He founded The Heritage Chart in 2020 (AOL article)

What’s unclear

• Exact birth year: 1947 vs 1951
• Full details of his son’s identity
• Net worth and financial details
• Specifics of his early life before 1976

“I’ve always been a music fan – that’s what drove me into radio. The Heritage Chart is my way of keeping the great songs of the past alive.”

Mike Read, speaking to the AOL article

“Mike Read is a true broadcasting legend who has entertained millions over the decades.”

John Miles Organisation biography

Mike Read’s career has been steady, not sensational. He didn’t chase headlines, he just played records and presented shows. The pattern: longevity built on consistency, not controversy.

For anyone trying to understand the British radio landscape of the 80s and 90s, Mike Read is a key figure. The confusion with Mike Reid may persist, but the facts are clear: two different men, two different legacies. For the reader who wants a reliable biography, the takeaway is that Read is still active and worth following if you enjoy classic pop and radio history.

Related reading: George Kay: Lupin Creator vs Kerry Katona’s Ex-Husband — another case of name confusion in entertainment.

Related reading: Mike Read: Kids, Marriage, Career & Reid Confusion

Frequently asked questions