Sir Jimmy Young to join radio Hall of Fame

Four radio presenters are to be inducted into the industry’s Hall of Fame at the Radio Festival next month.

Former Radio 2 stalwart Sir Jimmy Young CBE is joined by Radio 4 Woman’s Hour presenter Jane Garvey, 5 Live Drive’s Peter Allen and Smooth Radio’s Andy Peebles.

They will be officially entered into the Hall of Fame on 1st November at the Gala Dinner that’s part of this year’s Radio Festival in Manchester. The honour pays tribute to people who have made a significant impact on the UK radio industry and British culture.

Sir Jimmy Young CBE has carved an epic career in broadcasting since he joined the BBC in 1947 and was one of Radio 1’s launch DJs in 1967. He soon became known as the ‘Housewives’ Choice’ with The Jimmy Young Programme, a mould-breaking mix of music, recipes, chat and current affairs. Sir Jimmy interviewed every British Prime Minister for the show, as well as royalty including Prince Philip, Princess Anne and Princess Grace of Monaco.

Jane Garvey currently presents Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 with Dame Jenni Murray, delivering entertaining and informative output for women. She previously presented Breakfast on BBC Hereford & Worcester, joining 5 live in 1994 to present the Breakfast and Drive programmes.

Peter Allen has nearly 40 years experience in journalism, resulting in unrivalled knowledge of news and current affairs. Peter joined BBC Radio 5 live as a founding presenter of the Breakfast show and has won four Sony Gold Awards for his work.

Andy Peebles hosted the weekly Soul Train show on Piccadilly Radio, Radio 1 and Radio 2, before taking it to Smooth Radio when the station launched in the North West. He has been in broadcasting for more than 30 years, famously conducting the last British media interview with John Lennon, at the Hit Factory recording studio, two days before his death.

John Myers, Chief Executive of the Radio Academy, said: “It’s an absolute honour to be inducting these four broadcasting legends into the Hall of Fame. Each of them has proved hugely influential in the industry throughout their broadcasting careers and this has been rightly recognised.”

Sir Jimmy Young, who turned 90 in September this year, added: “What a lovely birthday present, to be inducted into the Radio Academy’s Hall of Fame. I’m in excellent company and I thank the Radio Academy Trustees for this great honour.”

Existing members of the Hall of Fame include Tony Blackburn, Ken Bruce, Billy Cotton, Richard Dimbleby, Alan Freeman, The Goons, Jean Metcalf and Sir Terry Wogan.