UK

Cumberland Council has named one of its gritters after BBC Radio Cumbria’s breakfast show presenter Mike Zeller.
The Mike Zeller Ice Dispeller “does exactly what it says on the side of the gritter,” joked Mike when the name was unveiled on air.
The name was chosen as part of a competition the council ran to get people to name five of its 20-strong fleet, with the name to remain in place for four years.
Mike said when he was contacted by the council he was “utterly flattered and taken aback”.
“It was lovely, I am genuinely touched by it and, I have to say, my family are as well,” he told the BBC.
He said it was due to the relationship his show had built “when it comes to getting the all-important winter safety messages out”.
The other winning names, unveiled on air, were Gritter Spitter, Control Salt Delete, Luke Grittler and La’al Salty.
Cumberland Council and Karl Melville, the council’s assistant director of transport, and Denise Rollo, Labour councillor, helped choose the winners.
Karl said: “These amazing people we have on as our staff go out there day in, day out, regardless of the forecast and treat out network to make it safe for everybody else,” he said.
Denise added: “It’s been absolutely amazing the amount of names we had coming in – there’s been some really good names, so it was fairly tough choosing winners.”

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Former Radio Wave presenter Ian Shepherd is joining Central Radio to host weekend breakfast.

Station Director Steven Normyle: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Ian Shepherd to the Central Radio family.
“Ian is a true local radio legend who has dedicated his career to entertaining, informing, and connecting with audiences in Lancashire and beyond.
“His passion for radio and his love for this region are evident in everything he does, and we know he will be a fantastic addition to our station. Our listeners can look forward to vibrant shows packed with great music, lively conversation, and the unmistakable energy Ian brings to the mic.”
Ian added: “Local radio is the heartbeat of a community, and I’m incredibly excited to be part of Central Radio’s journey.
“I can’t wait to get back on the air, connect with listeners, and share stories, laughter, and, of course, some brilliant tunes. It feels fantastic to be back doing what I love most and to work with such a passionate team.”
He starts his new show on January 4th 2025 across small-scale DAB multiplexes in Blackpool, Preston and east Lancashire.

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Broadcaster Adil Ray is joining Smooth Radio this Christmas to guest-present three programmes.
Adil will host his own show on Sunday 29th December from 2pm to 6pm, and Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th January from 10am to 1pm.
Along with television work, Adil has worked on BBC Radio 2, 5 Live, Asian Network, Radio Aire, Century and Choice/Galaxy in the past.
Adil said: “I cannot wait to get back to the best job in the world! Radio! And to be joining Smooth when they’re absolutely flying.
“I will now be singing along to the Smooth playlist not only in my car but in the studio too! I hope you’ll join me. Bring your dancing shoes!”
According to Wiki, Adil started his love of radio by being part of a pirate radio station in Huddersfield.

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Rick Jackson has hosted his last breakfast show on Greatest Hits Radio on the south coast today as the BBC announces he’s joining Radio Solent.

He’ll host afternoons on the BBC station in the new year, following 30 years on commercial radio including Wave 105.
Rick was on Drive at Wave for 18 years, before moving to Breakfast seven years ago.
He began his broadcasting career on the Isle of Wight at the age of 17, and has spent his entire career in the commercial sector, including 12 year presenting breakfast on Power FM.
The move means Bauer will no longer have a regional-opt-out at breakfast on the former Wave 105 service (and other local frequencies), following on from the announcement that the regional afternoon shows will end.
Rick said: “I’m very excited to be joining BBC Radio Solent and bringing my blend of music and entertainment to the afternoon show. I promise lots of fun and up to the minute information on the school run and drive home, where everyone can star in the show!”
BBC Radio Solet Executive Editor, Ian Ramsdale, said: “Rick is an exceptionally talented broadcaster, who knows exactly what makes the South-Coast tick.
“His fun and friendly style will fit perfectly at BBC Radio Solent. We’re so excited to have him as part of the team, and looking forward to him entertaining the residents of Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight through the afternoon.”
In responce, Bauer confirmed to RadioToday that Simon Ross will be heard across the South: “We’d like to thank Rick for fifteen incredible years of broadcasting for us across the South and wish him well in his new chapter.
“From Monday we’re delighted to announce that listeners in the region will be able to tune in to Bauer’s biggest breakfast show – Greatest Hits at Breakfast – with the brilliant Rossie.”

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Virgin Radio UK has hired Tim Vernon as Music Producer following his departure from Bauer.
Tim was previously Head of Music for the Absolute Radio Network, and spent 10 years in total at Golden Square/The Lantern.
He helped shape the music policy at Absolute Radio and its decade stations.
Virgin Radio UK Content Director Mike Cass said: “I’m delighted that Tim has joined the best team in broadcasting as we look towards 2025 and beyond.”
Tim added: “It’s such an exciting time at Virgin Radio UK; there’s huge potential for growth at one of the strongest brands in British radio – I can’t wait to get started.”
Bauer recently ‘streamlined‘ its music operations by removing eight schedulers, including Tim.

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Ofcom has today written to the BBC confirming that it will carry out full BBC Competition Assessments of its radio expansion plans.

In November, the BBC published proposals to launch four new DAB+ stations: Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems, a Radio 2 extension, and Radio 3 Unwind.
The Corporation also published proposals to extend the broadcasting hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra.
The un-named BBC Radio 2 extension nicknamed Radio 2 Extra would have 60 per cent speech led programming, made up of added news bulletins and documentaries.
Music would remain from the 50s, 60s and 70s, with at least 6,000 unique tracks a year, including lesser-known album tracks.
Under the BBC Charter and Agreement, the BBC and then Ofcom are required to consider the effects on competition of ‘material’ changes to its TV, radio and online public services.
Ofcom says it must first decide whether the BBC’s proposed changes are ‘material’ and, if so, what form of competition assessment it will carry out.
The regulator stated in November that it were minded to carry out full BCAs, rather than Shorter Assessments, to determine whether the BBC can go ahead with its plans.
Ofcom said today: “We have decided that, as the BBC’s proposals would be a material change and raise a number of contentious issues, potentially affecting several interested parties, in-depth scrutiny through full BCAs is the appropriate course of action.
“We will have up to six months to complete our further assessments, which we will commence on 6 January. This process will include a consultation on our provisional decision, giving interested parties another opportunity to provide their views.”
The announcement has been welcomed by Radiocentre, with CEO Matt Payton saying: “We welcome Ofcom’s independent scrutiny of these proposed new radio stations from the BBC.
“A thorough third-party analysis is necessary to consider the scale and impact of these changes on the UK audio market, rather than relying on the BBC to mark its own homework.
“We look forward to engaging with Ofcom on the process, where we will continue to highlight the lack of distinctiveness and the negative effect on audiences and competition.”

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