Time to say goodbye for 96-year-old DJ in Hong Kong

Ray Cordeiro (Radio Television Hong Kong/AP)

After more than seven decades in radio, a 96-year-old Hong Kong DJ has bid farewell to his listeners with Time to Say Goodbye, sung by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli.

Ray Cordeiro said in both English and Cantonese: “Well, that’s it. Thank you very much for tuning in, goodbye, thank you for coming,” before signing off ahead of the 1am news.

It marked the end of a radio career that began 72 years ago, including a run of more than 50 years for his show All The Way With Ray, which started on public broadcaster RTHK in 1970.

Cordeiro rubbed shoulders with the likes of Tony Bennett, The Beatles and Cliff Richard, and nurtured rising Hong Kong pop stars such as Sam Hui.

Ray Cordeiro with Tony Bennett (Radio Television Hong Kong/AP)

In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged Cordeiro as “The World’s Most Durable DJ”.

Affectionately called “Uncle Ray”, Cordeiro is known for his deep, calm voice, trademark flat cap, and easy listening repertoire.

For his last show, he spun a variety of tunes from The Carpenters, Perry Como and Louis Armstrong, among others.

He was born in Hong Kong, and is of Portuguese descent.

“I think I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he said in an interview with RTHK earlier this week.

“To do what I want to do, to love what I want to love, and I don’t think I have any regrets.”