Radio Moments - Clips

Emma Bunton began working with Heart in 2009 - as a guest co-host for Jamie and then as maternity cover for Harriet Scott. She assumed the role 'full-time' in 2013. On 10th December 2018, she announced tearfully that she would be stepping down from the daily show whilst on tour with the Spice Girls the following year. Her Sunday evening network show remained.

On 30th November 2018, the principal Magic service flipped format to all-Christmas songs. Whilst several AM stations had dipped a toe in the water, or new or existing digital offshoots had gone totally Christmas in recent years, this was the first time a major existing FM (in London) music brand had switched formats. Thoughts on my blog.

Whatever format radio presenters and journalists work on, there is always the risk that today, their content will not be as they anticipated - for the most tragic of reasons. They imagine how they will cope, whether they will be able to strike the mood, find the words – and stay on the factual road. Radio lives the story as human beings do - from the tentative early moments - through the fact-gathering stage - and then the emotion. Here, Radio Leicester, with also a news bulletin from Capital East Midlands, respond promptly when the helicopter carrying Nusara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner, Izabela Roza Lechowicz – and Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha - crashed on 27th October 2018, having taken off from the pitch at the end of a game at the King Power Stadium.

It was not because the station launched in 2018 with T Rex which made Ipswich 102's first moments on FM memorable. It was because for the first time in its regulatory history, Ofcom had chosen not the award a new licence to the incumbent. Town 102's licence was not renewed in favour of this new service called Ipswich 102. History is further complicated by the fact that Ipswich 102 had already been broadcasting its service on DAB for some weeks by the time it embraced its new FM frequency; and Town 102 continued on its relatively new DAB slot after its FM was seized. As a result, Town had to cope with an unprecedented DAB migration challenge - and Ipswich 102 with getting a station on-air in record time. Hear here the first moments of Ipswich 102 on FM.

Good humoured chat between Melvyn Bragg and John Humphrys on Radio 4's Today programme on 15th October 2018, as the programme celebrates its 20th anniversary.

We’ve grown accustomed of late to radio changes making the news. Following Chris Evans’s surprise announcement that he was quitting the Radio 2 breakfast show in favour of Virgin, speculation quickly mounted as to the identify of the successor. Here, Chris breaks the news and Zoe reacts. You hear too how the ensuing Radio 2 news bulletin leads with the news – as opposed to the Conservative Party Conference which emerges as the second story. Radio 4 joins in too, with a sizeable piece on PM with Zoe’s showbiz dad, Johnny Ball.

A slice of Dale Winton's energy and style on Nottingham's Radio Trent in 1980. Witness too, VOs in the ads from Bill Mitchell- and Terry Wogan! The promo from Steve Merike.

As the audiences to digital stations grow, so does the content. After some live moments on special occasions, BBC Radio 4 Extra went live properly for the first time on Saturday 8th September 2018. Jake Yapp hosted the programme, with superb intervention from Kathy Clugston, more usually heard on continuity announcer or newsreader duties. As can be heard, she rather enjoys herself.

A few chosen moments from Eddie Mair on his first show in his new home at LBC as he returned to commercial radio - after many diligent BBC years - on 3rd September 2018. The worst thing about a new show is hitting the junctions - Eddie clearly was not over worried about that here though. More importantly, this was a fresh, re-invigorated Eddie, sounding thoroughly relaxed and, rightly, warmer, than the Eddie the BBC paid for. As ever the beauty of Eddie is what he doesn't say - but you know he's thinking. This is a great LBC move - and good to hear Iain Dale's professionalism about his move from the show, justifiably repaid in spades.

After 8 years on the Radio 2 breakfast show, having assumed the throne after Wogan's departure, Chris Evans announced he would move on in his show on 3rd September 2018. Hear here his announcement - followed by coverage on Radio 2 news, Radio 4 news, the Today Programme, World at One and the 6 O Clock News - and the announcement in Virgin Radio news of his impending arrival. In the US, talent often crosses town and takes the audience - in the UK traditionally, it's been more challenging. Chris, however, delivered huge personal growth for Virgin in his first audience research sweep, consolidated by his second.

On Sept 1st 2018, PM presenter Luke Jones was moved to recognise the number of radio station launches on Sept 1st.

In advance of Eddie Mair's arrival at LBC, following his departure from BBC Radio 4, he spoke to the inimitable Steve Allen. The programme was aired first on 1st Sept 2018. A longer version of this is available from LBC podcasting.

After over five years on the LBC early evening show, Iain Dale graciously shifted sideways to mid evening as Eddie Mair loomed, hotfoot from the BBC. Enjoy here Iain's final moments on 30th August 2018. There were things he wanted to say - and emotions he sought to contain. He wasn't completely successful.

On 27th March 1998, the Brighton station launched as Surf 107. Like many of its generation, it enjoyed enthusiastic local support. After its acquisition by Forever broadcasting, the station re-branded as Juice 107.2, later returning to local ownership. Following Global's acquistion of the station, Juice closed at midnight following 13th August 2018. Enjoy here the opening and closing of its final breakfast show, then its final moments just before midnight, at which point the transmitter fell silent. The 'Capital is Coming' idents follow amidst segues some time later.

In moments of history, the broadcasting style of the day is captured. Listen here as Radio 4's Today programme on 1st October 1979 as Pope John Paul the Second was ferried through the streets of Ireland in the little yellow vehicle which became known as the Popemobile, drawing crowds of over two and a half million. The reporter is Phillip Whitfield, with presenters John Timpson and Brian Redhead.

On Wednesday 8th August 2019, Eddie Mair hosted his last PM programme on Radio 4. Although the programme had existed since April 1970, Eddie was to make it his own. His immaculate teasing, his deadpan humour and a cleverness - sometimes even too clever for many of his listeners - made the programme shine. Plus, of course, an interviewing style unmatched by anyone. Calm, targeted, persuasive and – if you’re on the wrong end – devastating. His last programme made no mention of his departure, although his imminent end had been well publicised. Unlike most programmes, he did not talk up to Big Ben – he let ‘Bring me Sunshine’ so the job for him. Regular listeners would have mused of the significance of the change. It was such subtle nods that lent the programme an unspoken intimacy which similar programmes so often lack. LBC beckoned – and only the most alert would have spotted his early preparations for his transfer to commercial radio as he uttered “…after these messages” into a trailer.

At almost six years, Nick Grimshaw enjoyed the second longest spell on BBC Radio1 breakfast. Like just a few others, his breakfast tenure was to be followed by another daytime stint. These are excerpts from his last show on 9th August 2018.,

BBC Radio Shropshire presenter Vicki Archer died suddenly at the age of 41 in August 2018. Here, you can hear a segment of her bubbly on-air performance in her final show, before the news was announced the following day by Eric Smith. Her co-host Adam Green also pays his tribute. Social media tributes afterwards from colleagues through her on-air years illustrated her popularity. Vicki worked at The Pulse, Century FM and on the Magic network. She had hosted the afternoon show on BBC Radio Shropshire since 2010.

The 2nd August 1967 saw Tony Blackburn's first BBC programme - Midday Spin on the BBC Light Programme.

It's happened to us all. We move from station to station. And we usually remember where we are. But just maybe on the odd occasion, we mess up. A station name, frequency or phone number from a former life spurts out your mouth. Or even your own phone number. Jo Russell was on Trent for a lifetime - but a full ten years after leaving - and having been through Absolute, BRMB and Free en route to her current home at Gem in the East Mids - for some reason the word 'Trent' came out. Maybe it was just because she was back in her home city. The brain is a funny old thing.

19th July 2018 saw the final drivetime show on Radio 1 with Greg James, prior to his move to breakfast

When Richard Bacon recovered, after falling seriously ill, Luke Jones spoke to him on Radio 4's Broadcasting House..

I really rate Anita Anand. Understated, authentic, quick, likeable, intelligent and a voice to die for. She suggests her immaculate pronunciation owes something to a teacher at her primary school, Sister Francesca, who ordered her to stop dropping her vowels. In 2012, Anita took over the Radio 4 Saturday lunchtime 'Any Answers' from Jonathan Dimbleby, who hosts Any Questions which precedes it. Her appointment was well-made. This edition of Any Answers is atypical. It's the sort of programme or news bulletin most broadcasters have faced from time to time - one where anything technical which can go wrong - does. The only thing one can do is plough on and keep calm. And Anita did - on this edition of a programme normally known for the military precision of each caller - and remained cool as cucumber.

After 51 years, Nicholas Parsons missed an edition of Just a Minute on BBC Radio 4 on 4th June 2018. The BBC's Head of Radio Comedy assured listeners "the apocalypse is not upon us - Gyles Brandreth kindly stepped in to give Nicholas Parsons a couple of days off. NP is totally fine and is still the guvnor as per the last 50 years"

Few UK jocks at the top of their game would choose a trip across the World as their next gig. Christian O’Connell did – as he moved from over a decade on Absolute Radio breakfast to Gold 1043 in Melbourne, Australia – ‘Better Music and More of It’. He introduced himself well to his new audience and really sounded himself on his official debut show on 4th June 2018. Typically good story-telling – and the usual polished delivery of class lines from his enviably quick brain. Plus, he promised to call back every texter after the show. There were a few technical hiccoughs at the outset - which are always much more infuriating for the on-air talent than for the listeners. But they did give good cause for a flood of typical OC lines: “Half an hour on air and very little has gone right”. “Who can I complain to about my own show?”. Thankfully much that went awry was just after 6 am whilst Oz was just awakening; so let’s not worry unduly about the UK anoraks who were fully alert for it at 9 pm BST with their cassette machines poised. Great ‘getting to know you’ promos. Beautifully-read news and travel bulletins – including those live sponsor lines. And note the very short solo ads (which we used to do at LBC a decade ago too) - and the ad for a big erection. And relish Christian’s live ad for Shotton lifts - and the bed company one at the end: "More than just a bed - they're the experts -in sleep"! It was alive – and great fun to listen to. Good luck.

Reflecting on the relationship between the Monarchy and Windsor Castle - as registered by the key broadcast moments. Produced by me for BBC Radio Berkshire.

After over five years, the second longest spell to Moyles, Grimmers announced on 31st May 2018 that he was about to vacate the Radio 1 breakfast seat. As has now become tradition for departing major names, the handover was handled like old friends preparing to move town. In this clip from the show that morning, Grimmers reveals his news and introduces his successor Greg James who was evidently moved: “I get to have a go at the most famous radio show in the world and I could not be happier”

One year on from the Manchester Arena bombing, Key 103 reflects, in the 0800 news bulletin - and then in an evening OB from Albert Square in the centre of Manchester with Darryl Morris

As Key 103 prepared to cease, making way for Hits Radio – Manchester, Mike Toolan hosted his last breakfast show after a lengthy spell waking up Manchester.

BBC and commercial radio stations around the UK united for the first time on 15th May 2018 to broadcast a one-minute message about mental health. The historic broadcasting aired on simultaneously at 10.59am, featuring globally famous voices talking about the stigma of mental health. With over 300 stations taking part, broadcasting to one of radio’s biggest collective audiences with an average listenership of 20 million, the Mental Health Minute was led by Radiocentre and The Radio Academy. The content was created and produced by content agency Somethin’ Else. The message sought to recognise Mental Health Awareness Week during the industry’s Radio Audio Week. It was supported by the Royal Foundation’s Heads Together campaign which launched in 2016 to change the national conversation on mental health and tackle the stigma that prevents people from getting the help they need. Heads Together brings together The Royal Foundation and eight mental health charities including the Anna Freud Centre For Children and Families, Best Beginnings, CALM, Contact, Place 2 Be, Mind, The Mix, and Young Minds.

The announcement on 18th April 2018

David Hamilton hosts the launch programme on Splash FM from Worthing.

A tribute to much-respected commercial radio stalwart, Alex Dickson., as aired on Clyde 2.