Tributes have been pouring in from across the British Asian community following the death of much-loved radio presenter and DJ Missy Dee, (real name Ritu Dhami) whose voice became synonymous with a generation of listeners during the golden era of Asian radio.
Friends, family, former colleagues and radio stations including Sunrise Radio and Lyca Radio have paid tribute to the broadcaster, whose warmth, humour and authenticity earned her a devoted following over a career spanning more than three decades.
To many, Missy Dee was more than a radio personality. She was a familiar voice in homes across the country, a champion of community causes and, in recent years, an inspirational advocate for organ donation.
Her family announced the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on social media.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful Missy Dee has passed away,” they said.
“To us, she was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, massi and friend. To so many of you, she was ‘Missy Dee’ – the woman whose infectious laugh, crazy humour, authenticity, honesty and warmth brightened your day.”
Missy Dee first entered broadcasting in the mid-1990s with Radio XL in Birmingham before moving to Sabras Radio in Leicester, where she became a popular presenter on both Breakfast and Drivetime shows.
However, it was during her years at Club Asia between 2001 and 2009 that she became one of the most recognisable voices on Asian radio. Broadcasting across Greater London, she built a loyal audience and became a household name among listeners who tuned in daily for her lively personality, infectious energy and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
Following Club Asia’s transition into Buzz Asia in 2009, she remained involved with the station and later managed its operations before eventually moving on to pursue new opportunities.
Never one to stand still, she launched her own online station, Luv Asia Radio, which she ran between 2012 and 2014, before reinventing herself as DJ Missy D and continuing to entertain audiences through live events and social media.
Yet it was her remarkable personal journey over the last decade that inspired thousands beyond the world of radio.
For more than ten years, Missy openly shared her battle with a chronic rare lung disease, documenting both the highs and lows with honesty, courage and humour.
Last year, she received what she described as the greatest gift of her life – a double lung transplant.
The donated lungs became known affectionately as her “Amaanat”, a word meaning a precious trust or gift.
According to her family, the transplant allowed her to experience something she had long dreamed of.
“Those lungs gave her something she had dreamed of for so long: the freedom to breathe without oxygen, to laugh without gasping for breath, to walk, to live, and to enjoy the simple moments that so many of us take for granted,” they said.
“For six precious months, she embraced every breath with gratitude and reminded us all never to take life for granted.”
Tragically, her health deteriorated after contracting a sudden and aggressive infection.
“Although her time with her Amaanat was heartbreakingly short, it gave her the greatest gift of all – the chance to truly live and breathe again,” her family added.
In a poignant twist, one of Missy Dee’s final public messages was dedicated to encouraging more people from South Asian communities to become organ donors.
Posting on social media on 4 June, she highlighted the thousands of people across the UK currently waiting for life-saving transplants and drew attention to the shortage of donors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Having experienced first-hand the life-changing impact of organ donation, she passionately urged others to register.
“Do your seva, selfless human service, and donate – help save a life,” she wrote.
Her social media profile carried the same mission, boldly encouraging followers to consider organ donation and challenging cultural barriers that often prevent discussions around the subject.
Alongside her campaigning, Missy remained known for her infectious humour and trademark phrase “Hot Sweet Sticky Jalebis”, which became a favourite catchphrase among her followers and helped cement her status as a beloved social media personality.
Her family said her legacy extends far beyond broadcasting.
“Through her humour, authenticity, resilience and unwavering spirit, she touched thousands of lives and had the ability to connect with all generations, young and old.
“She inspired people she had never even met and built a community who celebrated every milestone with her and stood beside her through every setback.”
As news of her death spread, messages of condolence flooded social media from listeners, fellow broadcasters and members of the wider British Asian community, many recalling how her voice had been part of their daily lives for decades.
Included in the list of many paying tribute to Missy Dee, was British Asian music star Juggy D who described her as “one of the most respected and loved voices in South Asian radio”, crediting her passion for music and unwavering support of artists with helping to shape countless careers.
“Missy D was one of the most respected and loved voices in South Asian radio. Her passion for music, her infectious energy, and her unwavering support for artists helped shape and uplift so many careers, including my own,” he said.
Reflecting on their final meeting, Juggy D said that despite the challenges she was facing, Missy Dee displayed “incredible courage, strength and grace”, adding that her spirit remained an inspiration to those around her.
“Today, we’ve lost a beautiful soul, but her legacy, her energy and the impact she had on so many lives will live on forever,” he added.
He extended his condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and listeners, concluding: “Rest in peace Missy. Thank you for everything. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”
While her passing leaves a huge void, many believe her final campaign may become one of her most enduring legacies.
A broadcaster, entertainer, campaigner and inspiration, Missy Dee’s voice may have fallen silent, but the message she championed until her final days – giving the gift of life through organ donation – will continue to resonate for years to come.
As her family poignantly concluded: “Rest peacefully, our beautiful hot sweet sticky jalebi. You fought harder than anyone we have ever known. Your smile, your laughter and your light will live on in all of us forever.”
You can help Missy Dee’s cause here: Organ Donation
