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Popular British Radio Presenter Found Dead in Lebanon

British citizen and prominent Radio One host Gavin Ford posing in the Lebanese based Radio station in the town of Beit Mery east of Beirut on January 26, 2017. (AFP)
British citizen and prominent Radio One host Gavin Ford posing in the Lebanese based Radio station in the town of Beit Mery east of Beirut on January 26, 2017. (AFP)
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Popular British Radio Presenter Found Dead in Lebanon

British citizen and prominent Radio One host Gavin Ford posing in the Lebanese based Radio station in the town of Beit Mery east of Beirut on January 26, 2017. (AFP)
British citizen and prominent Radio One host Gavin Ford posing in the Lebanese based Radio station in the town of Beit Mery east of Beirut on January 26, 2017. (AFP)

British radio presenter Gavin Ford, host of one Lebanon’s most popular morning shows, was found dead Tuesday.

An investigation has been opened and "initial information suggests that Ford was murdered", a security source told AFP, asking not to be named.

Ford's lifeless body was discovered at his home in Beit Meri, a mountain town east of Beirut where his employer Radio One is also based, reported the National News Agency.

One official said Ford's body was found Tuesday morning but refused to provide further details about the killing. LBCI TV said Ford was strangled and struck on the head, leading to his death.

Another official confirmed Ford was strangled, and said security agents are questioning his neighbors for details about who visited him in recent days.

Ford’s death led to an outpouring of shock and sadness on social media by people who followed his popular morning program on all-music Radio One station. The 53-year-old Ford had worked for the station since the 1990s, gaining a large number of fans in Lebanon.

Britain's ambassador to Lebanon, Chris Rampling, said he was "shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Gavin Ford, one of Lebanon's most popular morning breakfast hosts".

"The thoughts of all at the embassy are with his family, friends and colleagues at this terribly difficult time," he tweeted, also posting a photograph of Ford.

Ford celebrated his birthday on Monday, according to his Facebook page which was filled with posts of people grieving his death.

Radio One, in a message on social media, said: "We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear Gavin Ford, a member of our team for many joyful years."

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Copenhagen to Offer Giveaways to Eco-friendly Tourists

Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File
Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File
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Copenhagen to Offer Giveaways to Eco-friendly Tourists

Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File
Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File

The city of Copenhagen will offer special rebates and freebies to eco-friendly tourists this summer, including free bike rentals to those arriving by train and staying more than four days.

The CopenPay initiative, which was tested on a smaller scale last year, "is about raising travelers' awareness about travelling more responsibly," Soren Tegen Pedersen, the head of the city's tourism board Wonderful Copenhagen, told AFP.

The emphasis of the initiative is on transport, a highly polluting sector.

Those who make climate-friendly and environmental choices, such as using bikes and picking up trash, will also be offered rebates at museums and tourist sites, as well as free yoga classes and vegetarian meals.

Ninety sites are participating in the campaign, including the National Museum and CopenHill, a synthetic ski slope.

The campaign, which opens on June 17 and lasts until late August, will be advertised on billboards around the city and social media.

Goboat, a hire service for electric motorboats powered by solar panels, said taking part in the initiative last year helped show its commitment to climate solutions.

"Last year, 500 people jumped at our offer of one hour of free boating in exchange for picking up trash in the waters of the port. We weren't even able to satisfy demand," company representative Mads Pilegaard Sander told AFP.

In 2024, 75,000 tourists took part in the city's one-month trial.

Bike rentals increased by 29 percent during the period, tons of trash were collected, and 98 percent of participants said they would recommend the initiative, the tourism board said.