Now confirmed that BBC Radio 4 on long wave is to close on Saturday 27 June #radio https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/radio4lw
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Andy Walmsley
@andywalmsley@mastodonapp.uk
mastodon 4.6.8Living in France and blogging about UK radio history.
81 Followers
33 Following
50 Posts
Joined November 09, 2022
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One of the earliest BBC commentaries on #snooker was in December 1935. Mind you it was only for 15 minutes and, of course, on the radio. Helpfully the Radio Times provided an illustration of a snooker table
Before Liza Tarbuck on BBC Radio 2 there was Jimmy Tarbuck on Radio 2. My latest blog post on the 1971 comedy series Radio Tarbuck co-starring Deryck Guyler, Frank Williams & Daphne Oxenford. Guest stars Peter Goodwright & David Hamilton #radio #comedy https://bit.ly/4e2E97I
Alistair Cooke's 58 year run on Letter from America started on BBC radio this week in 1946. My 2012 blog post on Cooke's broadcasting career #radio https://bit.ly/4bwPlIj
In All Directions, the improvised 1950s radio comedy series starring Peter Ustinov and Peter Jones. My latest blog post with audio of the two surviving episodes #radio #comedy
https://bit.ly/414bYxu
In the 1940/50s he was known for his appearances on radio, tv, film and stage. But in the 1960s he was better known for his affair with Dawn Addams and numerous court appearances. My latest blog post on the life of comedian and actor Michael Howard #radio https://bit.ly/4ejw12Z
OTD last year Julian Marshall retired from the BBC after 51 years with the Corporation and 35 years on Newshour on the BBC World Service #radio
Just before Zoe Ball took over the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in 2019 I wrote this post about the 50+ years of the show's history (probably needs updating!) #radio
https://bit.ly/2H3sW9e
Great piece of audio production just after 1pm today on Downtown Radio as they move from the studios at Kiltonga, Newtownards, their home since 1976, to Belfast Harbour's City Quays 3
OTD last year the launch of Hits Radio 90s & Hits Radio 00s #radio
Don't forget...clocks go forward one hour tonight (artist Russell Webb) #SpringForward
Tonight on BBC Radio 4 & BBC Sounds: Archive on 4 on The Ghosts of Maida Vale as Matthew Sweet tells the story of the BBC studios, home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra/BBC Singers, the Radiophonic Workshop, Peel sessions, Live Lounge and more #radio https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002tbd6
OTD in 1994 the launch of BBC Radio 5 live with Jane Garvey, Marcus Buckland and Adrian Chiles #radiohttps://youtu.be/f_kkOAig7X8
OTD last year, it's an earlier 5 am start for BBC Radio 4. Announcer on duty is Chris Aldridge #radio
Before #WILTY there was Hoax!, a radio panel game devised by Ian 'Just a Minute' Messiter and chaired by Tim Brooke-Taylor. An edition from the 1st series is on BBC Radio 4 Extra today. First broadcast on 7 November 1986 #radio https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002szpt
When Housewives Had the Choice. This day in 1946 on the BBC Light Programme, the first edition of the daily request show Housewives' Choice. It ran for 21 years but the BBC only kept this minute from 21 April 1965 with Kenneth Horne presenting #radio
Replying to
@guardeddon@mas.to @brie
Yes, just reading about it and whilst the site still operates it seems to be SW only
The story of the 1960 Beaulieu Jazz Festival and the ensuing 'Beatnik Beat-Up' that forced BBC television coverage to end early. My latest blog post Jazz Riots on a Summer's Day #jazz
https://andywalmsley.blogspot.com/2026/07/jazz-riots-of-summers-day.html
OTD last year the launch of Greatest Hits Radio 80s #radio
Today at noon on Boom '66, the pop-up station from Boom Radio, Garry Richardson talks about the 1966 World Cup final with Des Lynam, Harry Redknapp, Graham Gooch, Alistair McGowan & Jimmy Ball (son of Alan). Repeated tonight on Boom at 8pm
John Peel's Family Album (Radio Times 30 July 1994) in which Peel and producer John Walters talk about starting their own religion, plus the World Cup and Sue Lawley
This bit of news has flown under the radar. Over on X the BBC's South American correspondent Ione Wells has announced that she's leaving (moving to Washington) and that the role is being dropped, more cuts one presumes. The BBC appears to be abandoning a whole continent #radio
From 2016 a special 1966 World Cup edition of 5 Live's Fighting Talk. Joining Josh Widdicombe are Barry Davies, Bobby Gould, Martin Kelner and Bob Mills #radio #sport https://youtu.be/MmWFmlxS29A
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of England's 1966 World Cup win tomorrow on Boom Radio pop-up station Boom 66, available online & DAB+ in London/Britsol. Music from 1966 starts at 8am with Paul Burnett. Your newsreader for the day (starting at 6am) is Paul Rowley. Radio Times preview below #radio
OTD last year Esi launches KISS XTRA, replacing KISS Fresh #radio
Celebrating 100 years since the first BBC OB from St Hilary Church near Penzance Petroc Trelawny talks to James Dundon on BBC Radio Cornwall #radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0ny7tfv
RE: @andywalmsley@mastodonapp.uk
A full recording of the Heart Scotland show with Des & co from last year https://www.mixcloud.com/andy-walmsley2/heart-scotland-breakfast-11-august-2025/
David Attenborough's first billed radio broadcast was 71 years ago on the BBC Home Service 18 February 1955, a 30-minute talk on Collecting Animals in Sierra Leone #radio #DavidAttenborough
OTD last year Jen Thomas takes over from Fran Godfrey on Mellow Magic Breakfast. As of last month Claire Sturgess presents the show #radio
Your national radio listening exactly 50 years ago today. The Radio 1 roadshow is in Bridlington, Radio 2 is the Olympics station with Terry Wogan, Radio 3 is at The Proms and many of the Radio 4 offerings are still on air today #radio
When Housewives Had the Choice. This day in 1946 on the BBC Light Programme, the first edition of the daily request show Housewives' Choice . A history of the programme that ran for 21 years in my August 2015 blog post https://bit.ly/2huOLyk (Radio Times page from 25.6.62)
Bill, Tim and Graeme aka The Goodies on the cover of the Radio Times 8 February 1975 (no artist credited). Article to follow.
OTD last year the launch of Greatest Hits Radio 70s #radio
OTD last year Zoe Ball starts her new Saturday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2. The run was short, as Zoe left the show in December #radio
OTD last year Cambridge's Star Radio closes and is rebranded as part of Hits Radio #radio
BBC Radio 4 Extra is once again dipping into the World Service drama archive with a first time repeat of Bluebeard, a modern retelling of the France folktale by Patricia Mays. It was first broadcast in March 1985 #radio #drama https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002s2wj
The Carnival is Over. This day in 1967 the Marine, and &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 came into effect. My August 2017 blog post on the end of the first chapter of the offshore pirates #radio https://andywalmsley.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-carnival-is-over.html
Michael Wynn Jones for the Radio Times (8 Feb 1975) on the genesis of The Goodies and behind the scenes of the fifth series episode Rome Antics
60 years ago today Anne Nightingale presents her first radio show on the BBC Light Programme, an edition of Melody Fare. She had been making radio and TV appearances (BBC & ITV) since 1963 #radio
The Essay on BBC Radio 3 this week sounds like a fascinating listen as Gillian Reynolds talks about You, Me and the Wireless https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rr2s
OTD last year a new line-up at Breakfast on Heart Scotland as Des Clarke is joined by Adele Cunningham & Grado #radio
OTD last year the launch of Hits Radio 00s
Latest blog post with a few more bits and pieces about the BBC Radio 4 long wave closure #radio https://andywalmsley.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-long-wave-goodbye.html
Today on Radio 6 Music Steve Lamacq will be playing the last ever BBC session to be recorded at the Maida Vale studios. Fontaines DC recorded the session on Friday and you can hear it on Steve's show from 4pm
VE-Day 8 May 1945 Remembered. My May 2020 blog post on what was broadcast and memories from those that lived through that day #radiohistory https://andywalmsley.blogspot.com/2020/05/ve75-8-may-1945-remembered.html
OTD last year Clive Myrie is the guest newsreader on BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills Breakfast Show #radio
OTD last year a new daily line-up on LBC News on a day when the markets are in turmoil following Trump's tariff announcements #radio
https://youtu.be/ND864AOHQYs
OTD in 1966 television coverage of the World Cup Final. BBC1 had Grandstand presented by David Coleman and that now-famous commentary from Kenneth Wolstenholme. Over on ITV World of Sport was introduced by Eamonn Andrews and the match commentator was Hugh Johns.