Veteran DJ Alan "Fluff" Freeman dies

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) One of Britain's best known DJ's, Alan ''Fluff'' Freeman, who began working for the BBC in 1960, has died aged 79, the corporation said today.

Freeman, whose catchphrases were ''Alright pop pickers?'' and ''not 'arf'' came to public prominence when he began presenting ''Pick of the Pops'' before moving to host shows on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2. He subsequently moved to commercial radio before rejoining the BBC.

Freeman, who was born in Australia, had a distinctive presenting style that left him open to parody by various comics notably Harry Enfield's character ''Dave Nice''.

Freeman took the leg-pulling in good humour, even appearing in one sketch -- a move which boosted his popularity further.

The BBC quoted his personal manager Tim Blackmore who said Freeman had never fully understood his own popularity.

''Alan was a naturally warm man who never quite understood the nature of his appeal ... through all his professional success, he still retained a total bewilderment that so much success and affection should have come his way.'' Freeman, who died in a retirement home in west London, continued broadcasting until a couple of years ago.

Reuters SP DS1310