Radio 2 DJs take to Hospital Radio ahead of Preston Moor Park event
This morning (Tuesday 3rd September) Richie Anderson hosted the 7.30-8.30am slot at Royal Preston Hospital Radio. Afterwards, he spoke to Scott Mills on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show and BBC Sounds, and revealed that the hospital was looking for someone to cover their radio show that afternoon. Scott called some of his fellow presenters to ask if any of them could fill the slot – he tried Sara Cox, Jo Whiley, OJ Borg, Gary Davies, DJ Spoony, but they were all unavailable for a variety of humorous reasons, including Trevor Nelson… who couldn’t do it as he had to look after one of his fish, called ‘Scott Gills’, who is a bit poorly!
It was then that legendary broadcaster and host of Sounds of the 60s and The Golden Hour programmes on Radio 2 Tony Blackburn OBE stepped in to save the day, and from 2-4pm played song requests for patients at the hospital.
Chatting to Scott, Tony said: “It is a yes, yes I can. I’ve never done hospital radio in my life before, but I would look forward to it and, you know, I was in hospital last year and everything they did for me there, I think it’s the least I can do. A bit of payback!”
He continued: “By the way Scott, I haven’t heard all the show this morning, but I’m not the last person you rang up? I mean other people haven’t just turned it down have they? I’m not your last port of call?”
Scott cheekily replied: “No! Honestly, you’re the first person I’ve rung.”
Tony said: “Oh well that’s great then. That makes it even more wonderful for me as well, that I was the first person you’ve come to. That’s great, well I’m looking forward to it very much indeed.”
After doing the hospital radio show, Tony said: “I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do and I know how important hospital radio is to the patients and their families, so it was my absolute pleasure to present a show on Royal Preston Hospital Radio. It was an honour to read out their messages and play the songs that will brighten their day ahead of Radio 2 in the Park this weekend.”
Silas Nicholls, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Hospital Radio volunteers at Royal Preston Hospital provide a fantastic service, lifting the spirits of patients, families and staff, and it was great to host Richie Anderson and the legendary Tony Blackburn. To have them step in and assist with our shows was a fantastic surprise for all, ahead of what is set to be an exciting weekend for BBC Radio 2 in Preston.”
Listen back on BBC Sounds – from approx 2.05.00 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00229dywhen
Radio 2 in the Park at Moor Park in Preston kicks off on Friday 6th September with a Pre-Party (5-11pm), with presenters taking to the DJ stage to spin their favourite tunes to 5000 revellers. Sting headlines the festival on Saturday night and the Pet Shop Boys top the bill on Sunday night. Each of their headline sets will also be broadcast on BBC Two with Sting at 10:15pm on Saturday and Pet Shop Boys at 10pm on Sunday.
As well as introducing artists on the main stage and playing sets in the DJ tent, Radio 2 presenters will be broadcasting live from an on-site studio at Moor Park – which looks out onto thousands of revellers across the weekend. Shows and sets available will be available live and on demand on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer across the weekend and for 30 days afterwards.
Tickets for Radio 2 in the Park are still available for the Friday night (6th September) and Sunday (8th September) here.
The full line-up is:
Saturday 7th September • Sting • Sugababes • Snow Patrol • Craig David • Kim Wilde • Pixie Lott • Shaznay Lewis • Travis •
Sunday 8th September • Pet Shop Boys • Manic Street Preachers • Sister Sledge feat. Kathy Sledge • Paul Heaton • Gabrielle• Shed Seven • Delta Goodrem • Haircut 100 •
DJ STAGE
Friday 6th September • DJ Spoony’s Good Groove • Rylan’s Rybiza Anthems • Sara Cox’s Wower Hour • Scott Mills’ Wonder Years • Vernon Kay’s Dance Sounds of the 90s •
Saturday 7th September • Dermot O’Leary’s Alternative Sounds of the 90s • Jo Whiley’s Shiny Happy Playlist • Michelle Visage’s Handbag Hits • Romesh Ranganathan’s For The Love of Hip Hop • Rylan’s Rybiza Anthems • Scott Mills’ Wonder Years • Tony Blackburn’s Golden Years •
Sunday 8th September • DJ Spoony’s Good Groove • Gary Davies’ Sounds of the 80s • Michael Ball’s Broadway Bangers • Paddy McGuinness’ Sunday School Disco • Sara Cox’s Wower Hour • Trevor Nelson’s Rhythm Nation • Vernon Kay’s Dance Sounds of the 90s •