2010 in British radio
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This is a list of events in British radio during 2010.


Events


January

*7 January –
Jonathan Ross Jonathan Stephen Ross (born 17 November 1960) is an English broadcaster, film critic, comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He presented the BBC One chat show ''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'' during the 2000s, hosted his own radio show on ...
announces he will leave the BBC when his contract expires in July. *11 January – ** Chris Evans takes over as presenter of the Radio 2 '' breakfast show''. The programme's launch also sees the return of newsreader Moira Stuart to the BBC after two years.
Simon Mayo Simon Andrew Hicks Mayo (born 21 September 1958) is an English radio presenter and author who worked for BBC Radio from 1982 until 2022. Mayo has presented across three BBC stations for extended periods. From 1986 to 2001 he worked for Radio ...
takes over the drivetime show. ** Gaby Roslin takes over as host of the breakfast show alongside Paul Ross on BBC London 94.9. *13 January – The BBC admits that it gave undue prominence to the band U2 in February 2009 after it repeatedly broadcast a “U2 = BBC” graphic and allowed presenters to claim the corporation was “part of launching” the group's latest album. *15 January – N-Dubz singer Dappy and the BBC are forced to apologise after the rapper sent abusive text messages, which included death threats, to a woman who complained about him during an appearance on
Radio 1 Radio 1 or Radio One most commonly refers to: *BBC Radio 1, a music radio station from the BBC ** BBC Radio 1Xtra, a digital radio station broadcasting black music *CBC Radio One, a talk radio station operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporatio ...
's ''
Chris Moyles Show ''The Chris Moyles Show'' is the title given to two differing versions of a radio programme hosted by Chris Moyles, originally broadcast as Radio 1 Breakfast from 5 January 2004 to 14 September 2012 before transferring three years later on 21 ...
'' on 12 January. *17 January –
Lynn Parsons Lynn Margaret Parsons (born 27 June 1961) is a British disc jockey. Career Having graduated from college with an OND in electronic principles, Parsons started her career working in the television industry, where she was a sound engineer and l ...
returns to Radio 2 as a regular presenter with an early Sunday morning breakfast show. The show airs until April when the Radio 2 schedule is overhauled.


February

*12 February – Carrie Prideaux leaves BBC Radio 1 after hosting her last ''Newsbeat'' sports bulletins for The Chris Moyles Show. *14 February – Sir Terry Wogan begins his weekly Sunday morning show on Radio 2. '' Weekend Wogan'' is hosted in front of a live audience in the Radio Theatre at
Broadcasting House Broadcasting House is the headquarters of the BBC, in Portland Place and Langham Place, London. The first radio broadcast from the building was made on 15 March 1932, and the building was officially opened two months later, on 15 May. The main ...
with an initial run of three months. *17 February – It is announced that the newspaper review show '' What the Papers Say'', which was on television for many years, will be revived on BBC Radio 4, airing for 12 episodes in the run up to the 2010 general election and then returning on a permanent basis if it proves to be popular. *18 February – Talksport obtains more Premier League football in the latest radio bidding wars. Whilst relinquishing their 15:00 package to football newcomers
Absolute Radio Absolute Radio is a British National radio station owned and operated by Bauer as part of the Absolute Radio Network. It broadcasts nationally across the UK via Digital audio broadcasting and on 1215 kHz MW. History 1993–1997: Virg ...
, they win two packages from
BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that broadcasts mainly news, sport, discussion, interviews and phone-ins. It is the principal BBC radio station covering sport in the United Kingdom, broadcast ...
and will take over the national radio rights to broadcast the late kick-off every Saturday evening from the Premier League (usually kicking off at 17:30), and the early Sunday games (before 15:00). This agreement covers the 2010–11 to 2012–13 Premier League seasons *27 February – The six stations in the
Smooth Radio Smooth Radio may refer to: * Smooth Radio (2010), the original national network in the UK * Smooth Radio (2014) See also * Smoothfm smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by NOVA Entertainment. From original ...
network stage a "Starlight Supper", en event aimed at raising money for a number of charities:
Breast Cancer Care Breast Cancer Care is the only specialist UK-wide charity in the UK providing care, support and information to anyone affected by breast cancer. The charity's headquarters are in London, with additional offices in Sheffield, Cardiff, and Glasgow. ...
in London,
Macmillan Cancer Support Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. It also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, a ...
in the Northwest, North East and West Midlands, the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in the East Midlands and Marie Curie's Big Build in Glasgow.


March

*2 March – BBC Director General
Mark Thompson Mark Thompson may refer to: Sports * Mark Thompson (American football) (born 1994), American football player * Mark Thompson (baseball) (born 1971), baseball player * Mark Thompson (footballer) (born 1963), former Australian rules football premie ...
confirms plans to close
BBC 6 Music BBC Radio 6 Music is a British digital radio station owned and operated by the BBC, specialising primarily in alternative music. BBC 6 Music was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years. It is available onl ...
and the BBC Asian Network as part of a cost-cutting drive. The proposals will also see BBC Radio 7 rebranded as ''BBC Radio 4 Extra'' and cutbacks to the BBC website. *10 March – ''The Official Chart Update'' is launched to give a midweek insight into the
Official Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
is shaping up. and is broadcast as a 30 minute mid-afternoon programme on Wednesdays. *11 March – BBC Radio 2 confirms plans to overhaul its schedule from April. This will include moving two of its longest-running shows, ''
Big Band Special ''Big Band Special'' was a BBC Radio 2 series which launched in September 1979, as a showcase for the BBC Big Band in session and in concert. Big Band Special was a 30-minute programme broadcast on Monday nights at 9.30pm and presented by Clare ...
'' and ''
The Organist Entertains ''The Organist Entertains'' was a long-running music programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The 30 minute programme focused on the organ in its many guises, and played recordings and live broadcasts of theatre organs, pipe organs and electroni ...
'' to different timeslots, and switching its comedy hour from Thursday to Saturday evenings – the second time it has done this in 12 months. *24 March – The five radio stations owned by YMC Ltd (
3TR FM 3TR FM (Three Towns Radio) was a radio station based in the ancient market town of Warminster, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. It broadcast on 107.5 FM to the West Wiltshire, East Somerset and surrounding area, and online via Internet streaming. It ...
, Bath FM,
Brunel FM Sam FM Swindon was a commercial radio station based in Swindon, England, broadcasting on the 107.7 FM frequency. The station was formed by The Local Radio Company, who wanted to create a local radio rival to GWR FM (now Heart). It started in ...
, Quay West 102.4/100.8 and
Quay West 107.4 The Breeze (Bridgwater & West Somerset) formerly Quay West and Total Star Somerset was a local radio station serving the Sedgemoor District, Bridgwater and West Somerset. The station was folded into Greatest Hits Radio South West, as part o ...
) are closed by administrators after multiple refusals on the part of regulator
Ofcom The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom has wide-ranging powers acros ...
to transfer the licenses, following a number of financial issues at the stations after TLRC's sale. *26 March – Les Ross presents his final breakfast show for Birmingham's
Big City Radio Big City Radio (formerly Aston FM) is a British community radio station based in Aston, Birmingham. The station, owned and operated by Murfin Music International, broadcasts on 89.1FM in Aston and surrounding areas, on DAB and online via the ...
.


April

*4 April – The timeslot for Bob Harris's Saturday evening/Sunday morning show on Radio 2 is moved forward an hour, meaning it airs from 12am until 3am instead of 11pm2am. *5 April – Huddersfield station Pennine FM closes down at 6pm, having been on air in various guises since 1998 and the licence is handed back to
Ofcom The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom has wide-ranging powers acros ...
. *15 April – Under new guidelines from
Ofcom The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom has wide-ranging powers acros ...
, from May commercial radio rivals will be allowed to co-locate to cut costs, and to slash local programming. The guidelines are a result of the recently passed Digital Economy Act. *19 April – Amanda Bowman becomes presenter of a late night show syndicated across
BBC Local Radio BBC Local Radio (also referred to as Local BBC Radio) is the BBC's local and regional radio division for England and the Channel Islands, consisting of forty stations. History The popularity of pirate radio was to challenge a change within ...
in the
Midlands The Midlands (also referred to as Central England) are a part of England that broadly correspond to the Kingdom of Mercia of the Early Middle Ages, bordered by Wales, Northern England and Southern England. The Midlands were important in the Ind ...
. *30 April – **It is reported that Emma Forbes has quit as co-host of
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
's Saturday night show ''
Going Out with Alan Carr ''Going Out with Alan Carr'' was the incarnation of the Saturday evening show on BBC Radio 2 between 25 April 2009 and 31 March 2012, produced by Open Mike Productions, which also produced Carr's TV series '' Chatty Man''. It was hosted by Brit ...
''. **It is reported that Smooth and Real Radio have become the official broadcasters of the switch-on ceremony for the
Blackpool Illuminations Blackpool Illuminations is an annual lights festival, founded in 1879 and first switched on 18 September that year, held each autumn in the British seaside resort of Blackpool on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire. Also known locally as The Lights ...
, after securing the broadcast rights from BBC Radio 2 which had aired it since 1997.


May

*12 May – Jeremy Hunt is appointed as
Culture Secretary The secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, also referred to as the culture secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with overall responsibility for strategy and policy across the Department f ...
by new Prime Minister
David Cameron David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October 1966) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016. He previously served as Leader o ...
. *13 May – The BBC confirms that comedian Graham Norton will take over
Jonathan Ross Jonathan Stephen Ross (born 17 November 1960) is an English broadcaster, film critic, comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He presented the BBC One chat show ''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'' during the 2000s, hosted his own radio show on ...
's show on Radio 2 when Ross leaves the network later in the year. *18 May – The BBC apologises after
BBC WM BBC Radio WM is the BBC's local radio station serving the West Midlands. It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios at The Mailbox in Birmingham. According to RAJAR, the station has a weekly audience of 236,000 lis ...
presenter Danny Kelly joked on air the previous afternoon that The Queen had died. *31 May – BBC Radio 1 teams up with forces broadcaster
BFBS The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides radio and television programmes for His Majesty's Armed Forces, and their dependents worldwide. Editorial control is independent of the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces themselve ...
for a ten-hour takeover show from
Camp Bastion Camp Shorabak (formerly Camp Bastion) is a former British Army airbase, located northwest of the city of Lashkargah in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The camp was situated in a remote desert area, far from population centres. The camp was built ...
.


June

*21 June –
Global Radio Global Media & Entertainment Limited, trading as Global, is a British media company formed in 2007. It is the owner of the largest commercial radio company in Europe having expanded through a number of historical acquisitions, including Chrysa ...
announces plans to reduce the number of its local Heart stations from 33 to 15 so-called "super stations" in a reorganisation that will lead to the loss of up to 200 full-time and freelance posts. The stations will have their own breakfast and drivetime shows, and local news bulletins, but all other output will come from London. A further two stations owned by Global will also be subsumed into the Heart network. *25 June – BBC Radio 1 is criticised by the commercial radio trade body RadioCentre following a Harry Potter Day in which the station gave what RadioCentre calls “undue prominence” to the release of the film '' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince''. *29 June –
Smooth Radio Smooth Radio may refer to: * Smooth Radio (2010), the original national network in the UK * Smooth Radio (2014) See also * Smoothfm smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by NOVA Entertainment. From original ...
announces plans to merge its five stations based in England, creating a national network. The new station will be based in Manchester and will see the loss of 60 jobs at Smooth's other bases. A phased launch will begin on 4 October. *30 June –
Heart Solent Heart Solent was a local radio station owned and operated by Global Radio as part of the Heart network. It broadcast to southern and western parts of Hampshire, West Sussex, Dorset and Isle of Wight. The station launched on 30 July 2010 as a r ...
replaces Heart Hampshire and
Heart Dorset & New Forest Heart Dorset (formerly 2CR – Two Counties Radio) was a British Independent Local Radio station, broadcast from studios at a former branch of MFI on Southcote Road in Bournemouth. Its original name was derived from the fact that its broadcast ...
.


July

*2 July – ** Heart Cambridgeshire replaces
Heart Peterborough Heart Peterborough (formerly Hereward FM) was an Independent Local Radio station serving Cambridgeshire, south Lincolnshire and west Norfolk. Launched on 10 July 1980 as Hereward Radio 225, the station was the first local service in the area, wi ...
and
Heart Cambridge Heart 103 (formerly Q103) is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Cambridge on 103.0 MHz and DAB Digital Radio. Heart also broadcast in Newmarket and Haverhill on 97.4 MHz. History The station was originally owned by ...
. ** Heart North Wales and West replaces Heart North Wales Coast, Heart Cheshire and North East Wales and
Heart Wirral Heart Wirral (formerly Wirral's Buzz) was an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the Wirral Peninsula, sharing its facilities with Heart Wrexham and Gold, in Gwersyllt, Wrexham. History The station, owned by Global Radio (origin ...
. *5 July – The BBC Trust rejects BBC plans to close the digital station 6 Music saying there is not a strong enough case for closure. However, plans to axe the
Asian Network BBC Asian Network is a British Asian radio station owned and operated by the BBC. The station's target audience is people "with an interest in British Asian lifestyles", especially British Asians between the ages of 18 and 34. The station has ...
, reduce the BBC online services by 25% and close the teenage service Blast! are given the go-ahead. *9 July –
Heart Thames Valley Heart Thames Valley was a local radio station owned and operated by Global Radio as part of the Heart network. It broadcast to Berkshire, Oxfordshire, north Hampshire and parts of west Buckinghamshire from studios in Reading, southern England. T ...
replaces Heart Oxfordshire and
Heart Berkshire Heart Berkshire (formerly 2-Ten FM) was an Independent Local Radio station, serving Berkshire and North Hampshire from studios in Reading. About Launched as Radio 210 (Two-One-Oh), the station commenced broadcasting in March 1976 on its medi ...
. *15 July – Senior
BBC World Service The BBC World Service is an international broadcasting, international broadcaster owned and operated by the BBC, with funding from the Government of the United Kingdom, British Government through the Foreign Secretary, Foreign Secretary's o ...
executive Gwyneth Williams is appointed the next Controller of BBC Radio 4. She will succeed Mark Damazer in the autumn. *16 July – ** Heart Four Counties replaces Heart Northants, Heart Milton Keynes, Heart Dunstable and Heart Bedford , , Dunstable, later
Milton Keynes Milton Keynes ( ) is a city and the largest settlement in Buckinghamshire, England, about north-west of London. At the 2021 Census, the population of its urban area was over . The River Great Ouse forms its northern boundary; a tributary ...
. ** Heart West Country replaces Heart Bristol,
Heart Bath Heart 103 (formerly GWR FM Bath) was an independent radio station serving Bath in Somerset, England, broadcasting on 103 MHz FM, on DAB Digital radio and online. History In 1986, a Bath ILR licence was awarded by the IBA. GWR Radio Bath ...
and Heart Somerset. *18 July – After 64 years of '' Woman's Hour'', the BBC begins broadcasting a full series called '' Men's Hour'' on
BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that broadcasts mainly news, sport, discussion, interviews and phone-ins. It is the principal BBC radio station covering sport in the United Kingdom, broadcast ...
, presented by Tim Samuels. *26 July – **Hertfordshire station
Mercury 96.6 Heart Hertfordshire (previously known as ''Hertfordshire's Mercury 96.6'') is a local radio station owned by Communicorp UK and operated by Global as part of the Heart network. It broadcasts across Hertfordshire from studios in Watford. In 2 ...
becomes part of the Heart network and is relaunched as
Heart Hertfordshire Heart Hertfordshire (previously known as ''Hertfordshire's Mercury 96.6'') is a local radio station owned by Communicorp UK and operated by Global as part of the Heart network. It broadcasts across Hertfordshire from studios in Watford. In 2 ...
. ** Heart Essex replaces Heart Essex (Chelmsford & Southend) ,
Heart Colchester Heart Colchester (formerly SGR Colchester) was a radio station broadcasting to Colchester and the surrounding areas. The station was launched in 1993 as SGR Colchester by the East Anglian Radio group, which also operated the Ipswich-based SGR-FM, ...
and
Ten 17 Ten-17 was an Independent Local Radio station, broadcast from studios at the Latton Bush Centre in Harlow. The station launched in May 1993 and served Harlow, East Herts and West Essex until its closure on 25 July 2010. History Ten 17 came int ...
. **
Heart Sussex and Surrey Heart Sussex and Surrey was a local radio station owned and operated by Global Radio as part of the Heart network. It broadcast to Sussex and Surrey from studios in the Portslade area of Brighton. The station launched on Monday 26 July 2010 as ...
replaces Heart Sussex and
Mercury FM Mercury FM was a radio station in the Surrey and Sussex area of the United Kingdom that was founded on 20 October 1984 and closed on 25 July 2010. The station broadcast on FM 97.5 MHz in Horsham and 102.7 MHz in East Surrey and Nor ...
. *30 July – At midday, Quay Radio stops broadcasting after owners Portsmouth F.C. went into administration. The station is sold to Celador Radio Broadcasting, who replaces Quay Radio with Breeze 107.


August

* 15 August –
Frank Wappat Frank Wappat (17 February 1930 – 17 February 2014) was an English radio personality, disc jockey and singer from Hebburn, County Durham. He worked with The Premier Band, Bobby Thompson, Renato Pagliari (of Renée And Renato fame), The Pipe-dr ...
presents his last show for BBC Radio Newcastle after 40 years at the stationA programme celebrating Frank's career is broadcast the following Sunday. *17 August – It is announced that Simon Bates will leave Classic FM after 13 years to join
Smooth Radio Smooth Radio may refer to: * Smooth Radio (2010), the original national network in the UK * Smooth Radio (2014) See also * Smoothfm smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by NOVA Entertainment. From original ...
as its new national breakfast presenter from January 2011. *20 August – BBC Hereford & Worcester announces that former TV-am weather girl Wincey Willis will join the station to present a Saturday morning show titled ''The Big Day Out'' that will give listeners ideas for days out in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire area. *27 August –
Heart Devon Heart South West was a regional radio station owned and operated by Global Radio as part of the Heart network. It broadcast to Devon and Cornwall from studios in Exeter. The station launched on Friday 27 August 2010 under the name 'Heart Devo ...
replaces
Heart Exeter and Heart Torbay Heart Exeter and Torbay were part of the Heart Network of commercial local radio stations operated by Global Radio in the United Kingdom. The stations were launched on 23 March 2009, and replaced Gemini FM, which was the previous commercial r ...
,
Heart Plymouth Heart Plymouth (formerly Plymouth Sound) was an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to Plymouth in Devon, England. History The heritage name Plymouth Sound was a pun on the popular meaning of ''sound'' (in the audio sense) and the bay ...
,
Heart North Devon Heart North Devon (formerly Lantern FM and previously Lantern Radio) was an Independent Local Radio station in North Devon. Technical The station broadcast from two locations: its main transmitter at Huntshaw Cross on 96.2FM, and a relay stati ...
and
Heart South Devon Heart South Devon (formerly South Hams Radio) was an Independent Local Radio station serving the South Hams area of Devon, England. The station began broadcasting on 1 December 1999 and until its closure, was run as a joint venture between UKRD ...
.


September

*3 September – **
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
announces that ''Dawn Patrol'' presenter Sarah Kennedy is leaving the network after 17 years. By this time she has been absent from the show for several weeks, and will not return to the programme before the schedules are reorganised in October.
Lynn Parsons Lynn Margaret Parsons (born 27 June 1961) is a British disc jockey. Career Having graduated from college with an OND in electronic principles, Parsons started her career working in the television industry, where she was a sound engineer and l ...
acts as the show's stand-in presenter for its remaining time on air. **
Heart East Anglia Heart East Anglia was a local radio station owned and operated by Global Radio as part of the Heart network. It broadcast to Norfolk and Suffolk from studios in Norwich. The station launched on Friday 3 September 2010 as a result of a merger b ...
replaces Heart Norwich and Heart Ipswich. *13 September – Global announce plans to scrap the
Galaxy Network Galaxy was a radio network owned by Global Radio and broadcast across the British Isles on FM in regional areas of England and Scotland, through the digital platform with Sky and DAB and online respectively. Stations included stations: Galaxy ...
in order to create a nationwide Capital FM. The plans will also include the closure of four further stations, with the new network going live in early 2011.


October

*2 October – Comedian Graham Norton takes over the Saturday morning show on Radio 2 (10am1pm) formerly hosted by
Jonathan Ross Jonathan Stephen Ross (born 17 November 1960) is an English broadcaster, film critic, comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He presented the BBC One chat show ''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'' during the 2000s, hosted his own radio show on ...
. *4 October –
Smooth Radio Smooth Radio may refer to: * Smooth Radio (2010), the original national network in the UK * Smooth Radio (2014) See also * Smoothfm smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by NOVA Entertainment. From original ...
launches its new national station. *31 October –
Tony Blackburn Anthony Kenneth Blackburn (born 29 January 1943) is an English disc jockey, singer and TV presenter. He first achieved fame broadcasting on the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s, before joining the BBC, on the BBC L ...
presents his final Weekend Breakfast Show for
Smooth Radio Smooth Radio may refer to: * Smooth Radio (2010), the original national network in the UK * Smooth Radio (2014) See also * Smoothfm smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by NOVA Entertainment. From original ...
.


November

*5 November – Members of the National Union of Journalists at the BBC begin a 48-hour strike in a dispute over proposed changes to the corporation's pension scheme. Programmes affected include the '' Today'' programme on Radio 4. *6 November – Tony Blackburn joins Radio 2 replacing Dale Winton as the regular host of '' Pick of the Pops''. *23 November – It is announced that Vanessa Feltz will join Radio 2 from 17 January 2011, taking over Sarah Kennedy's old early morning show.


December

*6 December – While presenting the Radio 4 Today programme, James Naughtie makes a slip of the tongue while referring to the British Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt that turns his surname into what the BBC later describes as "an offensive four-letter word". A little later in the day Andrew Marr uses the same word on '' Start the Week'' while talking about the incident and after declaring "we won't repeat the mistake". *11 December – It is reported that
David "Kid" Jensen David Allan "Kid" Jensen (born 4 July 1950) is a Canadian-born British radio DJ and television presenter. Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Jensen began as a radio DJ on Radio Luxembourg. Jensen was later a broadcaster for the BBC from 1976 ...
is leaving his mid morning show at Gold to join
Smooth Radio Smooth Radio may refer to: * Smooth Radio (2010), the original national network in the UK * Smooth Radio (2014) See also * Smoothfm smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by NOVA Entertainment. From original ...
as an afternoon presenter. He will make his debut on the network in 2011. *24 December – A Christmas message by Pope Benedict XVI is broadcast by BBC Radio 4's '' Thought for the Day'' programme, the first time the Pontiff has addressed a Christmas message to one of the countries he has visited during the year.


Station debuts

*28 February – Radio Plymouth *5 April –
Academy FM (Thanet) __NOTOC__ Academy FM (Thanet) is a Charity community 24-hour local radio station based in Ramsgate, Kent, England, which broadcasts to the Isle of Thanet. It launched on 5 April 2010, Easter Monday. The licence for the station was granted by OF ...
*15 August –
Sanjhi Awaz Radio Sanjhi Awaz Radio was an Asian radio station broadcasting on DAB digital radio across the West Midlands area of England, including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Leamington Spa and Walsall. The station broadcast in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu an ...
(2010–2012) *May –
Rossendale Radio 104.7 Rossendale Radio is a community radio station in the north west of England, broadcasting on 104.7 FM to Haslingden, Rawtenstall, Ramsbottom and surrounding areas and online at www.rossendaleradio.com. Broadcast area The station's p ...
*21 June – Absolute Radio 90s *16 July –
Absolute Radio Extra Absolute Radio Extra was a part-time radio service similar to BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. The station was launched to broadcast the live coverage of the Premier League Games under the Rock n Roll Football brand, also broadcast on the main Ab ...
*July – InverRadio *4 October –
Smooth Radio Smooth Radio may refer to: * Smooth Radio (2010), the original national network in the UK * Smooth Radio (2014) See also * Smoothfm smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by NOVA Entertainment. From original ...
(national) *4 December – Absolute 80s *10 December –
Absolute Radio 00s Absolute Radio 00s is a semi-national digital radio station owned and operated by Bauer as part of the Absolute Radio Network. It broadcasts locally on Bauer's Inverness DAB Multiplex. It broadcasts nationally via smart speaker streaming and ...


Closing this year


Programme debuts

* 11 January – **''
The Chris Evans Breakfast Show ''The Chris Evans Breakfast Show'' (currently referred to on-air due to sponsorship reasons as ''The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky'') is the name given to two versions of a radio programme hosted by broadcaster Chris Evans in the United K ...
'' on
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
(2010–2018) **'' Simon Mayo Drivetime'' on
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
(2010–2018) * 18 January – '' A History of the World in 100 Objects'' on BBC Radio 4 (2010) * 14 February – '' Weekend Wogan'' on
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
(2010–2015) * 2 April – ''
Meet David Sedaris ''Meet David Sedaris'' is a BBC Radio 4 radio program featuring American humorist David Sedaris reading new and previously collected stories live before an audience. There have been nine series with the first being broadcast in April 2010. E ...
'' on BBC Radio 4 (2010–present) * 2 October – '' Graham Norton'' on
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
(2010–2020)


Continuing radio programmes


1940s

* ''
Sunday Half Hour ''The Sunday Hour'' was a long-standing show broadcast on the BBC Light Programme and then BBC Radio 2 in the United Kingdom, broadcast for 78 years between 14 July 1940 and 28 January 2018. For most of its life it occupied a Sunday evening ...
'' (1940–2018) * '' Desert Island Discs'' (1942–Present) * '' Woman's Hour'' (1946–Present) * ''
A Book at Bedtime ''Book at Bedtime'' (''A Book at Bedtime'' until 9 July 1993) is a long-running radio programme that is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 each weekday evening between 22.45 and 23.00. The programme presents readings of fiction, including modern classics, ...
'' (1949–Present)


1950s

* '' The Archers'' (1950–Present) * ''
The Today Programme ''Today'', colloquially known as ''the Today programme'', is a long-running British morning news and current-affairs radio programme on BBC Radio 4. Broadcast on Monday to Saturday from 6:00 am to 9:00 am, it is produced by BBC News and is the ...
'' (1957–Present)


1960s

* '' Farming Today'' (1960–Present) * '' In Touch'' (1961–Present) * '' The World at One'' (1965–Present) * ''
The Official Chart ''The Official Chart'' is a long-running United Kingdom music chart programme, airing each Friday afternoon on BBC Radio 1. It airs the UK Singles Chart compiled by the Official Charts Company. In July 2015 ''The Official Chart'' moved from ...
'' (1967–Present) * '' Just a Minute'' (1967–Present) * ''
The Living World ''The Living World'' is a long-running natural history radio programme, made by the BBC and broadcast on its Radio 4. The series was created at the BBC Natural History Unit by Dilys Breese and Derek Jones, initially as a 52-week series, in 19 ...
'' (1968–Present) * ''
The Organist Entertains ''The Organist Entertains'' was a long-running music programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The 30 minute programme focused on the organ in its many guises, and played recordings and live broadcasts of theatre organs, pipe organs and electroni ...
'' (1969–2018)


1970s

* '' PM'' (1970–Present) * '' Start the Week'' (1970–Present) * '' You and Yours'' (1970–Present) * '' I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'' (1972–Present) * ''
Good Morning Scotland ''Good Morning Scotland'' ( gd, Madainn Mhath Alba) is a Scottish breakfast radio news programme. It is broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland weekdays from 06:00 to 09:00. Established in 1973, it is the longest-running radio show broadcast from Scotl ...
'' (1973–Present) * '' Newsbeat'' (1973–Present) * '' File on 4'' (1977–Present) * ''
Money Box ''Money Box'' is a weekly personal finance radio programme on BBC Radio 4, produced by BBC News, currently presented by Paul Lewis. The programme is broadcast live each Saturday in the half-hour slot just after midday. It is repeated on Sunday ev ...
'' (1977–Present) * '' The News Quiz'' (1977–Present) * ''
Feedback Feedback occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop. The system can then be said to ''feed back'' into itself. The notion of cause-and-effect has to be handled ...
'' (1979–Present) * ''
The Food Programme ''The Food Programme'' is a BBC Radio 4 programme investigating and celebrating good food, founded by Derek Cooper and currently presented by Sheila Dillon, Dan Saladino, Leyla Kazim and Jaega Wise. The series is produced by BBC Audio in Bris ...
'' (1979–Present) * '' Science in Action'' (1979–Present)


1980s

* ''
Steve Wright in the Afternoon ''Steve Wright in the Afternoon'' was the name given to English DJ Steve Wright's popular radio shows. Wright's afternoon show was known by that name from 1989. Wright presented the afternoon show on BBC Radio 1 from 30 March 1981 to 24 Decem ...
'' (1981–1993, 1999–2022) * ''In Business'' (1983–Present) * ''
Sounds of the 60s ''Sounds of the 60s'' is a long-running Saturday morning programme on BBC Radio 2 that features recordings of popular music made in the 1960s. It was first broadcast on 12 February 1983 and introduced by Keith Fordyce, who had been the first ...
'' (1983–Present) * '' Loose Ends'' (1986–Present)


1990s

* ''
The Moral Maze ''Moral Maze'' is a live discussion programme on BBC Radio 4, broadcast since 1990. Since November 2011, it has also been available as a podcast. Structure Four regular panellists discuss moral and ethical issues raised by a recent news story. ...
'' (1990–Present) * ''
Essential Selection The ''Essential Selection'' is a radio show on Friday evenings on BBC Radio 1, originally conceived by producer Eddie Gordon and hosted by Pete Tong. History "The Essential Mix programme was originally produced by Radio 1 producer Eddie Gord ...
'' (1991–Present) * '' Essential Mix'' (1993–Present) * '' Up All Night'' (1994–Present) * ''
Wake Up to Money ''Wake Up to Money'' is an early morning financial radio programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. It is broadcast from 05:00 to 06:00 each weekday. History The programme was established when Radio 5 Live began broadcasting in March 1994. It has been pr ...
'' (1994–Present) * '' Private Passions'' (1995–Present) * '' The David Jacobs Collection'' (1996–2013) * ''
Sunday Night at 10 ''Sunday Night At 10'', also known as ''The Age of Swing'', was a weekly hour long programme on BBC Radio 2 in the United Kingdom. Aired on Sunday evenings at 10pm, it featured big band music from the late 1930s and early 1940s through to the pr ...
'' (1998–2013) * ''
In Our Time In Our Time may refer to: * ''In Our Time'' (1944 film), a film starring Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid * ''In Our Time'' (1982 film), a Taiwanese anthology film featuring director Edward Yang; considered the beginning of the "New Taiwan Cinema" * ''In ...
'' (1998–Present) * '' Material World'' (1998–Present) * ''
Scott Mills Scott Robert Mills (born 28 March 1973) is an English radio DJ, television presenter and occasional actor. He is best known for presenting the '' Scott Mills'' show on BBC Radio 1 from 2004 to 2022 and since then, on BBC Radio 2. Mills has also ...
'' (1998–2022) * '' The Now Show'' (1998–Present)


2000s

* '' BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards'' (2000–Present) * ''
Big John @ Breakfast Big John @ Breakfast is the current breakfast show on local radio station Hallam FM Hallam FM is an Independent Local Radio station based in Sheffield, England, owned and operated by Bauer as part of the Hits Radio network. It broadcasts t ...
'' (2000–Present) * ''
Sounds of the 70s ''Sounds of the 70s'' is the name of BBC radio programme, currently broadcast on Sundays by BBC Radio 2, with the ''Sounds of the Seventies'' name also having been used by BBC Television for a number of themed music compilations, now repeated ...
'' (2000–2008, 2009–Present) * ''
Kermode and Mayo's Film Review Kermode is a surname of Manx origin. It may refer to: I Surname * Robert Kermode (1812–1870), Tasmanian politician * P. M. C. Kermode (Philip Moore Callow Kermode, 1855–1932), Manx antiquarian and historian * Alexander Kermode (1876–1934) ...
'' (2001–2022) * '' The Big Toe Radio Show'' (2002–2011) * '' A Kist o Wurds'' (2002–Present) * '' Fighting Talk'' (2003–Present) * '' Jeremy Vine'' (2003–Present) * '' The Chris Moyles Show'' (2004–2012) * '' Fearne Cotton'' (2009-2015) * ''
Annie Mac Annie Mac (born 18 July 1978), is an Irish DJ, broadcaster and writer. She hosted a variety of shows on BBC Radio 1, including BBC Switch and ''Future Sounds''. She also DJed in various locations, including hosting her AMP (Annie Mac Presents) ...
'' (2004–2021) * '' The Jo Whiley Show'' (2001–2011) * ''
Elaine Paige on Sunday ''Elaine Paige on Sunday'' (often referred to on air as ''EPOS'') is a British radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday afternoons from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, that is hosted by the actress and singer Elaine Paige. The show launched on 5 Sep ...
'' (2004–Present) * ''The Bottom Line'' (2006–Present) * ''
The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show ''The Christian O'Connell Show'' is a multi award winning radio show, hosted by Christian O'Connell. The show was originally produced in the United Kingdom, starting as ''The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show'' on a local station in Bournemou ...
'' (2006–Present) * '' The Unbelievable Truth'' (2006–Present) * ''
The Radcliffe and Maconie Show ''Radcliffe & Maconie'' is a weekend radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music in the United Kingdom and via the internet. It runs from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and is presented by Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie. The show ori ...
'' (2007–Present) * ''
Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show ''Geoff Lloyd with Annabel Port'' was a drivetime radio programme, broadcast on Absolute Radio. The show ran for three hours, between 6pm and 9pm, Monday to Thursday, and two hours, between 6pm and 8pm, on Fridays. Presented by Geoff Lloyd, it ...
'' (2008–2017) * '' The Strand'' (2008–2013) * '' The Media Show'' (2008–Present) * '' Americana'' (2009–2011) * ''
Newsjack ''Newsjack'' was a British satirical sketch show which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra between 2009 and 2021. It was hosted by Miles Jupp (2009-Mar 2011), Justin Edwards (Sep 2011-2013), Romesh Ranganathan (2014), Nish Kumar (2015-2016), ...
'' (2009–Present) * ''
Paul O'Grady on the Wireless ''Paul O'Grady on the Wireless'' (billed as ''Paul O'Grady'' and referred to on-air as ''TeamPOG'' or ''TeamPOGradio'') is the incarnation of the Sunday teatime slot on BBC Radio 2 that aired from 5 April 2009 to 14 August 2022, hosted by Paul ...
'' (2009–2022) * ''Alan and Mel's Summer Escape'' (2009–2020)


Ending this year

* 23 February – '' Act Your Age'' (2008–2010) * 17 July – ''
Jonathan Ross Jonathan Stephen Ross (born 17 November 1960) is an English broadcaster, film critic, comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He presented the BBC One chat show ''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'' during the 2000s, hosted his own radio show on ...
'' (1999–2010) * Unknown – '' Electric Ink'' (2009–2010)


Deaths

*17 March – Charlie Gillett, 68, writer, broadcaster and musicologist


References

{{Reflist, 2 Radio British Radio, 2010 In Years in British radio