Popular Thames Valley radio star Sue McGarry was found hanged when her DJ partner got home from presenting his show with rival station Fox FM.

Tributes poured in today for the popular broadcaster after it emerged she was found dead yesterday at the home she shared with Fox's Danny Cox.

Sue joined Thames Valley FM in 1996 and built a large following on her 9am to noon slot.

But it is understood that in June this year, she miscarried following a 12-week pregnancy.

Shortly afterwards, she took a break from working at the BBC station and received treatment at Littlemore Hospital in Oxford.

Her death occurred just days after doctors felt she was improving and allowed her to return to her home near Witney.

Colleagues were shocked by news of her death. Last night they were preparing a special tribute to play to listeners.

Presenter Bill Rennells said today: "I am terribly sorry to hear it. It is very sad news. She was very popular with listeners."

BBC Thames Valley editor Phil Ashworth paid tribute to Sue, who had also worked for BBC Radio Two and Five, and the BBC in Cumbria. He said: "Wherever she worked she was immensely popular with listeners and with her colleagues.

"Her death is a great loss to her family and to an even bigger family of listeners, who regarded her as one of their family."

Mr Ashworth confirmed Sue had been "unwell" and had not been heard on the radio for several months.

Oxford Mail editor Chris Cowley, who knew Sue personally, said: "She was one of life's greats. She had such a bubbly personality and a wonderful way with people. We will miss her."

Sue and Danny first met more than ten years ago when they both worked for the BBC in Leicester, but they did not become a couple until six years ago.

In March 1997, they went head-to-head with their morning shows, and Danny spoke at the time of how he and Sue fell for each other.

He said: "Sue always held a special place in my heart, although she turned me down for years. Then she rang up and said we should meet up - and forgot to give me her phone number. I tracked her down and it took off."

Sue moved to Oxford in April 1996, when she was invited to join Thames Valley FM, the replacement for Radio Oxford. Danny landed a job with Fox FM in December that year and presented his first show on Christmas Day.

In a joint interview with the Oxford Mail in March last year, the couple revealed how they refused to allow their new on-air rivalry to interfere with their personal lives.

Danny said: "We have to be careful about giving away too much in case the other one uses it to their advantage.

"But Sue's show is very much news and information-based and mine is much more about fun and entertainment, so we don't really clash.

"Besides, we've been together for longer than either of the radio stations have been on air, so I think we are strong enough to survive."

The couple said colleagues were intrigued by the stations pitting them against each other.

Sue said at the time: "Everyone at work was fascinated when they found out. It is a very odd experience."

Danny has been given leave of absence from Fox FM for "as long as he needs" after the tragedy.

His regular slot from 10am to 1pm was today being presented by Andy Green.

Programme controller Phil Angell said: "We are giving him whatever time he needs. Someone else will do the show and something is being sorted out for the next couple of weeks."

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