Veteran DJ Ahern found after appeal

Ahern started his career on Radio Caroline

A veteran DJ who went missing from his London home 11 days ago has been found at a hospital in the capital.

Former Capital Gold disc jockey Mike Ahern, 60, was last seen at his home in Ealing, west London home on 3 January.

Friends were concerned about his disappearance because he had become increasingly depressed in recent weeks.

But hours after appeals were put out through the media on Tuesday afternoon, the presenter was tracked down.

"We don't know many details yet but he has been tracked down to hospital and we are told he is well enough to be discharged tomorrow," a spokeswoman for him said.

'Delighted'

"It is marvellous news and we are all delighted he is safe," she added.

The Liverpool-born presenter started his career at successful pirate station Radio Caroline in 1964.

He was one of the best-loved DJs on the offshore station, receiving up to 1,000 fan letters a month.

He joined BBC Radio 1 when the station launched in 1967, alongside DJs including John Peel and Tony Blackburn.

Ahern (left) was part of the Radio 1 launch line-up

But he lasted for just one show - giving him the dubious record of the shortest-lived Radio 1 career.

He then went to live in Australia for 10 years, before returning the UK in 1990.

Ahern was then offered a job with Capital Gold, where he spent five years.

In recent years he has worked for stations in London and Cambridge.

Paul Easton, who was Ahern's producer at Capital Gold, said his disappearance was out of character and his friends were worried.