Tributes paid as much-loved Dubai radio DJ dies

Lucy Stone, host of the Drive Time show on Dance FM, died in the UK

Lucy Stone hosted the popular 'Drive Time' show on Dance FM in Dubai  

A popular Dubai radio presenter described as “gorgeous and fierce” by friends has died.

Lucy Stone, 38, the host of the Drive Time show on Dance FM, died last week in the UK.

Cameron Plant, group MD at Shock Middle East, the station's broadcaster, said the whole team was "deeply saddened" to hear of her passing.

"Lucy was an instrumental member of the Shock Middle East family," he said.

"We will miss her energy, dedication and her commitment to radio.

"Lucy was very popular among her peers and she will be deeply missed by her friends and family. We kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of her family during this difficult time.”

Stone joined the Shock Middle East team in March 2017 as the Dance 97.8 weekend presenter. In February 2018 she took over the Drive Time show to become one of the station's leading presenters.

"Lucy's laughter and love of music will be dearly missed by her loyal listeners and those who worked with her," Plant said.

Friends and colleagues also took to social media to pay tribute to Stone. One said he was in awe of her quirky style, bubbly attitude and musical knowledge, while another said she will be sorely missed.

“I feel so lucky to have known Lucy… her massive cheesy smile would light up any room and she was loved by everyone she met.”

Circumstances surrounding her death have not been released.

Stone, who hosted her show between 4pm and 8pm, Sunday to Thursday, “moved to Dubai to further her DJ career and quickly became highly successful” across the UAE’s music industry.

She was the former head of music curation at the Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi and a former resident DJ at popular London nightclubs Ministry of Sound and HedKandi.

In January, radio presenter James Aramouni, who also hosted Dance FM's Drive Time show, passed away at the age of 27.

As a mark of respect, the station suspended all shows on January 14. Aramouni was described as a “much-loved member of the Shock Middle East family" by the station.