BBC writer and executive Jock Gallagher has sadly died at the age of 87. The Pebble Mill Facebook account confirmed that Jock died in May 2025, after he helped to run the BBC magazine programme that aired from 1972 until 1986. A statement read: “Hi, you’ll have seen in the Pebble Mill Newsletter, and from Ed Billington’s message on this page, that Jock Gallagher sadly died on 27th May in Worcester Hospital.

“His funeral will be at Wyre Forest Crematorium, Minster Rd, Stourport DY13 8AS on 25th June at 12.30pm. He was 87. Please add any memories you had of working with Jock at Pebble Mill, here. I remember having a conversation with Jock in the late 1980s when I was trying to become a researcher, and fancied working on Radio 4 series.”

It continued: “I remember having a conversation with Jock in the late 1980s when I was trying to become a researcher, and fancied working on Radio 4 series. He said he’d give me a job, when a vacancy came up, but I got a researcher job on the TV series, On The House first, so it never happened. It’s strange to think about the paths we didn’t take.”

Tributes immediately flooded in from fans and colleagues, with one writing: “Jock was a real driving force! I remember making a programme at Pebble Mill with some of The Archers cast, including Gwen Berryman and Norman Painting. I declined when Jock asked me if I would like to interview a new actor who was about to join the cast as David Archer! Must have been mid-1980s.”

Another echoed: “Jock gave me much encouragement in my first jobs at Pebble Mill. He was kind and helpful, a hard task master at times but he gave me the courage to push my Radio 4 ideas at the highest level aged only 23. I will always remember him with fondness.”

Gallagher started his BBC career as a news producer in 1966, quickly moving to head up the Pebble Mill crew and becoming responsible for radio dramas like The Archers. He also created several long-running series for the network, including From the Grassroots and Offshore Britons.

He retired from the BBC in 2014.