Terry Christian returns to BBC Radio Derby for anniversary shows

Presenter Terry Christian is heading back to BBC Radio Derby to celebrate the anniversary of a radio programme he launched.

It was 40 years ago when Barbed Wireless first aired, aimed at a youth audience.

Barbed Wireless won multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards and connected the musical dots between rock, reggae, soul and funk held together by ‘a fresh-faced young man who’d been plucked from the dole queue in Manchester’.

He hosted the show till 1988 when he returned to Manchester to host evenings on Key 103 – just two years before Channel 4 signed him up to host The Word.

The anniversary shows will feature a delve into Terry’s record collection as well as interviews with members of the Barbed Wireless team from the time, and some other high-profile guests, including Mike Scott from the Waterboys and Jo Callis of Human League.

Terry has worked on many radio stations during his broadcasting career, including BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 6 Music, talkSPORT, Century, Key 103, Signal and BBC Radio Manchester.

The show will broadcast each weeknight next week from 9pm till 10pm.

BBC Radio Derby Executive Editor Aftab Gulzar says: “I’m really excited that, four decades after launching ‘Barbed Wireless’, Terry is back on Radio Derby for this week of special shows.

“Award-winning and ground-breaking, the show was ahead of its time because it was a platform for new music and new voices. There are so many Derbyshire people who Terry built a connection with that I know he’ll be very much welcomed back.

“And those listening to Terry for the first time will be introduced to his musical expertise and charismatic personality.”

Terry Christian adds: “Barbed Wireless came about as a music magazine show … to this day I think it is the thing I’ve enjoyed the most. I’m very proud to have been many people’s starting point in their media career.”

When asked if it was a difficult decision to return to Radio Derby, Terry said: “I’d have asked you…I’ve really missed doing radio…”


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Posted on Friday, January 14th, 2022 at 9:44 am by RadioToday Staff

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