Trevor Nelson’s three decades at the BBC were marked on air yesterday with tributes from across music, broadcasting and television.
The Radio 2 presenter was surprised in his afternoon studio by Beverley Knight, who arrived with a cake during his 2-4pm weekday show, as colleagues and artists reflected on his influence and longevity across BBC services.
Earlier in the day, Trevor joined Scott Mills on Radio 2 Breakfast from 6.30am to talk through memories from a career that began at Radio 1 in 1996 and later spanned 1Xtra and Radio 2. He also spoke with Richie Anderson on BBC Morning Live from the Radio 2 studio, revisiting early links and interviews with major international artists.
Messages of congratulations were shared from Alicia Keys, Lemar, Eve, Jessie J, Nile Rodgers, Craig David, Sade, Jessie Ware and Stephen Graham, with Sir Lenny Henry performing Happy Birthday as part of the celebrations.
Nile Rodgers thanked Trevor for his long-standing support at the BBC, while Sade described him as an inspiration who had “gone the distance”.
In the evening, Jo Whiley devoted her 7-9pm Radio 2 programme to a two-hour special charting Trevor’s career, using music and archive to explore defining moments, from early Radio 1 decisions to his current role on Radio 2.
Across the programme, Trevor reflected on landmark interviews, outside projects and the experiences that shaped his broadcasting voice, while also hinting at work still to come as he continues his Radio 2 journey.