Nigel Dyson departs BBC Radio Cumbria

The Editor of BBC Radio Cumbria is stepping down from his role after 14 years at the station and a 36-year career with the corporation.

Nigel Dyson worked at BBC local radio stations Humberside, Lancashire, Three Counties and Cambridge before joining Radio Cumbria in 1998.

His first BBC local radio experience was in 1974 as a presenter at Radio Humberside and he went on to be Station Assistant at BBC Radio Blackburn (now called Radio Lancashire) 1976-82, Producer at Radio Northampton 1982-85, West Cumbria Producer at Radio Cumbria 1985-88, and Radio Northampton’s Programme Organiser then Assistant Editor 1988-94. He first became a Managing Editor at BBC Three Counties Radio in 1994, before taking on the same role at Radio Cambridgeshire 1995-98 ahead of his move back to Cumbria.

Nigel told RadioToday.co.uk: “I’ve had 14 wonderful years at BBC Radio Cumbria. I’d never intended to stay this long – but was having too much fun! They’ve been 14 fun packed, exciting and successful years. I’m gutted at leaving the BBC after 36 years, but personal reasons are driving this decision. I have wonderful memories from my days at Humberside, Blackburn/Lancashire, Northampton, Three Counties, Cambridge and Cumbria. I’ll miss my colleagues hugely.”

Phil Roberts, Head of Region for the North East and Cumbria said: “Nigel is passionate about local audiences and knows instinctively what they want and need from us. He will be very missed and is at heart of BBC Radio Cumbria’s success over the years.”

David Holdsworth, Controller of BBC English Regions told Radio Today that Nigel would be a huge loss. “Just look at the recent record of Radio Cumbria,” he said. “Nigel has embodied the spirit of BBC Local Radio through a long and successful career. Fiercely independent, acutely aware of what works for local audiences, a standard bearer for local voices and communities.”