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First John Peel Biography Announced

added 11 November 2004 at 12.04

Following the untimely death of the legendary broadcaster John Peel, various publishers are currently fighting to be the first to release the first biography of the DJ's life.

Publishers Transworld won a bidding war in April 2003 to secure the official rights to the John Peel's autobiography for a reported fee of £1.6million. However, by his own admission, the DJ's memoirs were far from complete, and following his recent passing currently remain unfinished.

However, rival publishers Orion have confirmed they will be publishing an unauthorised biography entitled 'John Peel: A Life In Music' by Michael Heatley, on November 30.

A Transworld spokesman said: "Unlike those ambulance-chasers at Orion, we have some sense and decency. John hasn't even been buried yet. We feel there should be a decent interval before discussing it with his widow, Shelia."

Peel's public funeral is to be held tomorrow (November 12) in St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds.

As previously reported, John Peel tragically passed away following a heart attack aged 65 while on a working holiday in Cuzco, Peru. Since then, numerous musicians and music fans alike have been contacting Xfm to pay tribute to a DJ who occupied a unique place in people's memories and hearts.

To read a selection of the messages click here

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Jon Ford

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