UK

Broadcaster and music historian Spencer Leigh is celebrating his 80th birthday with a special book release called 80@80.
This memoir takes readers on a nostalgic journey through his extensive archives and personal diaries, featuring 80 chapters that explore his life and deep passion for pop music.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the book, Spencer shared, “As I approached my 80th birthday, I wanted to create something that revisited my past interviews while also sharing parts of my own story.”
Spencer’s broadcasting career began in the early 1970s at BBC Radio Merseyside, where he became known for hosting On The Beat, a long-running music program that saw him interview thousands of musicians over the years.
“There are some truly unusual interviews in the book,” he noted. “One with Billy Bob Thornton stands out as particularly odd, so I included it while weaving in my life’s story along the way.”
In addition to his book, Spencer has written a magazine commemorating what would have been Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday, now available at newsagents.
With decades of interviews and research under his belt, Spencer has amassed an extensive archive of materials. He is now in the process of donating these valuable records to Liverpool Central Library.
“I’m currently organizing my files—today, I’m working on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper,” he said. “I’m compiling all the press cuttings and materials into a structured collection. Soon, the entire file, containing around 200 pieces, will be available at the Liverpool Central Archives.”

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Shine Radio has partnered with Petersfield Jazz & Blues Festival to create a new weekly show hosted by Duncan Barkes.

Curated and hosted by Barkes, the new show featuring jazz and blues will air on the station on Thursday evenings.
Duncan Barkes said: “It’s an absolute joy to present this kind of music on Shine Radio. Jazz and blues does not get the airtime it deserves, so it’s great that Shine Radio and the Petersfield Jazz and Blues Festival have joined forces so we can bring this glorious music to a wider audience.”
Jazz & Blues with Duncan Barkes is on Shine Radio every Thursday at 8pm.

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After many years as a member of the Maritime Radio team, Dennis Roberts has decided to hang up his headphones.

A founding member since the RSL days back in Greenwich, Dennis has been an integral part of the station, both on air and behind the scenes.
He grew up in South East London and developed an early passion for music, becoming an avid record collector. In his teens, he became a DJ in pubs and club and, in recent years, on radio.
His rock, soul and rhythm & blues radio shows have been on the radio for over a decade. He’s also been a guest broadcaster in Holland and America.
Jack Mooney, one of the Directors of Greenwich Media says: “Dennis has been with us from the very beginning, shaping Maritime Radio into what it is today.
“His hard work, enthusiasm, and love for radio have been instrumental in our journey.”

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Broadcaster and journalist, Duncan Barkes is joining smooth jazz and soul station, Diamond Groove.

Duncan, who has previously worked at various stations including LBC, talkSPORT, 5 Live and BBC Radio London, will host Diamond Groove’s weekday Drivetime show, 4pm – 6pm.
The station launched on small scale DAB in Hull in April 2024, before expanding to Doncaster, Exeter, Hull, Oxford, York, South Gloucestershire and now South Hertfordshire, which is due to go live soon.
Speaking about joining Diamond Groove, Duncan Barkes said: “My musical passions are smooth jazz and soul so joining the top team at Diamond Groove ticks all my boxes.
“I had a stint at Jazz FM when it relaunched on DAB back in 2008, which I loved, but had to use a different name for boring contractual reasons. Being on-air as myself and playing the music I adore gives me so much pleasure.
“I’m keen to ensure Diamond Groove can thrive and expand so we can take this kind of music to more and more people.”
Rhav Dee, operations manager for Diamond radio UK, added: “Duncan has worked for LBC, BBC Radio London, talkSPORT, BBC Five Live and Jazz FM as a presenter, so to have him as part of our on-air team is a real coup.”

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Made in Kent Radio has hired radio and TV presenter Chelsea Little to present the station’s Drivetime show.

Starting on Monday 3rd February, Chelsea will be on-air weekdays, 3pm – 7pm.
The station went on-air three years ago and recently relocated its studios to Bluewater Shopping Centre. It’s currently available via Alexa and the Made in Kent Radio app but is due to launch on DAB this summer.
Speaking about Chelsea’s appointment, Matt Soper, founder of Made in Kent Radio, said: “It’s extremely exciting to have Chelsea join the team.
“She’s an incredibly talented presenter who is absolutely loved throughout Kent. The whole team is very excited to have Chelsea onboard.”

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North east DAB service Frisk Radio is launching a service in the north west of England.

The dance music station will be on small-scale DAB platforms in central and west Lancashire from April.
The move aligns with the mass rollout of digital out-of-home billboards by Frisk Radio’s parent company, Smart Outdoor Media.
Mark Catterall, CEO of Smart Outdoor Media said: “Our growing footprint across Lancashire makes this the ideal time to launch Frisk Radio in the same area.
With over 100 screens coming online, we can offer advertisers a unique, omni-channel opportunity to connect with their target audience across the region.”
Stuart Landreth, Director of Frisk Radio said: “We are very excited to introduce the Frisk brand to Lancashire. Our rapid growth, and success in the North East has shown there is a clear demand for an upbeat, dance-music focussed station in local markets.”

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