Scottish TV star and DJ Ewan Macleod found dead at home aged 48 

Tributes have poured in for Scottish TV star and DJ Ewan Macleod after he died suddenly at home. He was 48.

According to the Daily Record, the popular broadcaster, who hosted STV’s Chart Bite music programme in the ’90s and worked on radio station Beat 106, was found at his home in Bearsden, Dunbartonshire, on Thursday.

A police spokesman said: ‘We were made aware of the sudden death of a 48-year-old man at a property in Bearsden around 10.30am on Thursday. The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious.’

Macleod had been credited with expanding the reach of the Scottish music scene far beyond its borders throughout his decades-long career.

He helped launch a radio venture backed by Rangers legend Ally McCoist and served as a manager independent record label and publishing company Influx Music.

The beloved Scot also attempted to launch the Scottish Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame museum, a project which attracted backing from Annie Lennox and Midge Ure.

Despite his efforts, and powerhouse endorsements, the £6million venture failed to secure the necessary funding to be brought to fruition. 

Donald MacLeod, owner of Glasgow’s The Garage and Cathouse nightclubs, paid tribute to his friend in a heartfelt statement, hours after news of his death broke.

He said of the music industry veteran: ‘Ewan was one of Scotland’s glitterati and played that part in full with some of his mad outfits.

‘He was a character and if there was an event on he would be there.

‘He was very much part of the contemporary music scene back in the day. It’s a tragedy and my condolences go out to his family.

‘Scottish music’s community at large will miss Ewan. He tried very hard to put Scotland’s music scene on the map.’ 

Musician Pete MacLeod tweeted a picture of Ewan on Saturday afternoon, as he wrote: ‘RIP Ewan Macleod. Always had lovely things to say to me about my music & would send me positive messages all the time. HOLD FAST big man! Love, Pete. x’

Richy Muirhead, founder and creative director of the Scottish Alternative Music Awards, tweeted: ‘I am so sad to hear the passing of Ewan Macleod.

‘Ewan was one of my first lecturers when I began studying music. We became friends in later years, he was always a joy to be around and someone who really encouraged me to be ambitious and grow the SAMAs.

‘Thank you for all the amazing memories, the stories, the advice, and the laughs – you will be greatly missed! RIP X’

Musician and DJ Manda Rin also reacted to the news on Twitter, stating: ‘I used to like turning up for my weekend morning show at Beat 106 and Ewan Macleod was asleep under the desk. A funny man.’