Skip to main content
Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

UK’s first openly gay rabbi Lionel Blue dies at 86

FILE -  This is a  Nov. 1, 1994 file photo  of Rabbi Lionel Blue  after receiving his OBE at Bucking Palace, London.  British rabbi Lionel Blue, who was known for his popular early morning radio spots, has died. He was 86. Blue was the first openly gay rabbi in Britain. The Liberal Judaism group said he died Monday Dec. 19, 2016. (PA, File via AP)
FILE - This is a Nov. 1, 1994 file photo of Rabbi Lionel Blue after receiving his OBE at Bucking Palace, London. British rabbi Lionel Blue, who was known for his popular early morning radio spots, has died. He was 86. Blue was the first openly gay rabbi in Britain. The Liberal Judaism group said he died Monday Dec. 19, 2016. (PA, File via AP)

LONDON (AP) – Lionel Blue, Britain’s first openly gay rabbi who was known for his popular early morning radio spots, has died at 86.

The Liberal Judaism group said he died Monday.

He was a frequent guest on BBC radio’s “Thought for the Day” feature, part of the widely heard Radio 4 morning broadcast.

Blue was known for the light, genial tone of his radio spots, which often shed light on Judaism and its application in modern day life. He frequently discussed his own failings and foibles.

He was often featured on the Monday morning spot that aired at around 7:50 a.m. and could be counted on to provide a measure of good cheer and wit at the start of the work week.