Mark Pilgrim has lost his courageous battle against cancer. The seasoned radio and television host passed away at 10:45 this morning, 5 March 2023.
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“Mark passed peacefully with his fiancé Adrienne at home. They were together for his last breath,” HOT 102.7 FM reported in an online statement.
Pilgrim broke the news to his followers last year, that after 33 years of his cancer being in remission, he had been re-diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
Despite battling lung cancer, the beloved South African radio personality always kept a smile on his face as he bravely documented his journey on social media to raise awareness while keeping a positive attitude.
Pilgrim was a shining light in the South African broadcasting industry, and will be deeply missed for his exceptional talent, incredible skill, and positive attitude. He began his radio career in the 1980s on Voice of Wits campus radio before joining 5FM in 1995. After leaving 5FM in 2003, he moved on to 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Johannesburg.
In 2007, Pilgrim hosted a chart show broadcast on two radio stations simultaneously, KFM and 94.7. He retired from radio in June 2014 but returned to the airwaves several months later on Hot 91.9FM in Johannesburg.
He initially hosted a Saturday morning show from 9am to 12pm, but eventually returned to radio full-time and also hosted a Monday to Friday show from 9am to 12pm.
In 2015, he won an MTN Radio Award for Best Weekend Radio Show in South Africa, and in 2019, he won the Liberty Radio Award for the Best Daytime Show in South Africa. In 2021, Pilgrim was inducted into the South African Radio Awards Hall of Fame in recognition of his significant contributions to the radio industry.
Some of his notable television hosting roles include both seasons of Big Brother South Africa, the first season of Big Brother Africa and the MNET game show Power of 10.
Cape {town} Etc extends its sincere condolences to Mark Pilgrim’s family and friends during this time.
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Mark Pilgrim and Adrienne Watkins’ special New Year’s Eve engagement
Picture: Mark Pilgrim / Facebook