KINGSTON, Jamaica — After nearly 30 years as a defining voice of Jamaican public radio, Daniel Thompson, one of Radio Jamaica’s longest-serving and most beloved broadcasters, has passed away. The official confirmation of his death came from the station itself this past Thursday. According to local reports, Thompson suffered a sudden heart attack that led to his passing.
Over his 28-year career with Radio Jamaica, Thompson built a legacy that touched every corner of the station’s programming schedule. He worked every time slot from early morning drive time to late-night talk segments, crafting memorable content that resonated with decades of listeners across the island. Beyond filling roles across the full broadcast lineup, Thompson launched his own standalone show, and most recently became a core contributor to the station’s popular audience-driven call-in program Hotline, where he facilitated engaging conversations between callers and community stakeholders.
He also earned widespread popularity for his collaborative work on the iconic “X and Y” feature, which he co-hosted for years alongside longtime partner Emily Shields, a segment that remains a fan favorite among long-time Radio Jamaica listeners. Beyond his work in talk radio and interactive programming, Thompson carved out a reputation as a measured, trusted newsreader, delivering breaking stories and daily current affairs coverage with a calm authority that made him a go-to source of information for Jamaican audiences.