Chris Needs

Christopher Needs, MBE (12 March 1954 – 26 July 2020) was a Welsh radio broadcaster, best known as a regular evening and daytime presenter on BBC Radio Wales.

Career Needs was an accomplished pianist who had accompanied Bonnie Tyler and appeared on S4C programmes such as Noson Lawen. His other jobs included: language translator, actor, tour guide, and all-round vocal / piano entertainer, and through his work he has lived in Spain, Gibraltar, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Jersey. He spoke English, Welsh, Spanish and Dutch and was learning German. In the period up to 2003, Needs was joined nightly on his radio show by his friend Nikki-Sue, a show singer and Tina Turner impersonator.

Personal life Born in Cwmafan near Port Talbot, he was educated at local schools. During his teenage years he was sexually abused by someone whom he refused to identify, and consequently tried to commit suicide.

Chris Needs had known that he was gay while a teenager, and his husband, Gabe Cameron, often answered listeners' calls to the show.

In 2016, Needs lost six stone as a result of an ulcerated throat. His experiences were followed in an S4C documentary.

Needs died on 26 July 2020 from a heart condition, aged 66.

Awards 1996 – Sony Radio Academy Awards Silver Award for Best Regional Presenter. 2009 – Variety Club of Great Britain Lifetime Achievement Award.

Books 2007 – Like It Is: My Autobiography 2008 – The Jenkins's's's's's 2009 – And There's More ... My Autobiography – part 2 2013 - Highs And Lows