LEGENDARY broadcaster and “household name” Candy Devine has died aged 85.

Candy was a presenter on Downtown Radio from its launch in 1976 until her retirement in 2013.

She won an MBE in 2014 for services to broadcasting and the community in Northern Ireland.

Candy also had a spell as a TV presenter in her native Australia, where she returned after the death of her husband Donald in 2012.

The beloved radio presenter is survived by her sons Ian and Alastair, who live in Australia.

Downtown Radio’s Stuart Robinson said: “Candy was a household name on radio in Northern Ireland.

“She had been with Downtown from launch in 1976 right through until her retirement in 2013.

“Candy was a great broadcaster and communicator and was an inspiration to many aspiring broadcasters coming up through the radio industry.

“Having grown up listening to Candy, it was a great honour to work with her at Downtown.”

The station’s former programme controller Don Anderson said Candy was “first and foremost a performer”.

He said: “I brought Candy into broadcasting back in 1976 when the station began as one of the first 21 commercial stations in the UK.

“She was first and foremost a performer, a cabaret singer in Belfast – a very good one.

“Broadcasters need an attractive voice, but personality is what raises some broadcasters above others.

“Candy had a warm outgoing vivacious personality which connected immediately with her audience, whether live or on airwaves.

“Her status as one of the best loved Ulster broadcasters was thus assured.

“As one of the first wave of broadcasters in a self-operated studio, she was also a pioneer. Quite some lady.”

Sky News’s Ireland correspondent David Blevins said: “Candy Devine was a saint of a woman.”

Posting on Twitter, Blevins added: “The term ‘dulcet tones’ was invented for her.

“I’ll cherish the memories of the banter we shared when I read the news on her radio show. Safe home sister.”

UTV anchor Paul Clark said: “Really sorry to hear about the death of Candy Devine.”

He added: “What a lady – what a tremendous communicator and broadcaster.

“Candy also worked with the legendary animated film director, Don Bluth.

“In the movie, All Dogs Go To Heaven, her voice was used for Vera, a female gambling dog!”

Candy’s former colleague John Rossborough said: “So very sorry to hear that Candy Devine has passed away.

“A wonderful colleague and outstanding broadcaster, she was loved by the local audience.

“She was much missed after she returned to Australia to be with her family. To them I send my deep condolences at this saddest of times.”