Radio stars call Christian to talk 80s

BBC Hereford and Worcester weekend presenter Wincey Willis has helped win £10,000 for charity after coming out on top in Absolute Radio’s latest ‘Who’s Calling Christian’ promotion.

With a theme of ‘Big in the 80s’, other industry presenters past and present called up to try and win the prize – including Phillip Schofield, Timmy Mallet and Pat Sharp.

Wincey does the 9-11 Saturday show on the BBC local radio station in the area where she lives, promoting things to do in the area on a programme called ‘Big Day Out’. This was mentioned on her initial call to Absolute Radio last week. While Wincey’s most famous from the 80s for being the weather presenter on TV-AM, she actually started out on Radio Tees on Les Ross’ Saturday morning show.

She won the Absolute Radio prize money for the Help Harry Help Others appeal, set up by a young boy called Harry Moseley who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2007 at the age of 7 and sadly died this weekend aged 11. The £10,000 will help people through Cancer Research UK.

Christian O’Connell said: “All of us were touched by an incredible young man called Harry Moseley. Good on Wincey Willis for telling us about him. We are all saddened by his passing at the weekend and our thoughts are with his family. A special thanks to Absolute Radio listener Tanya Barrow from Fleet in Hampshire, who waived her right to £5,000 winnings by getting Wincey to call in. It now takes the total donation to Harry’s Charity up to £10,000.”

Wincey Willis told Absolute Radio: “I am so grateful. It’s been a very, very difficult time for everyone but this has shown how much people love Harry and will always love him and appreciate everything that he’s done. He’s a light that will never go out. It’s raised so much awareness of Harry’s charity and I can’t thank you enough.”

Phillip Schofield mentioned his Radio 1 show in the 80s during his call to Christian, with O’Connell saying he was inspired to get into radio after listening to him.

As well as talking about Fun House, Pat Sharp mentioned his current work on Smooth Radio, with Christian joking that his current bosses had told him he couldn’t call up Absolute Radio.

And former BBC Radio Oxford and Piccadilly Radio presenter Timmy Mallett made a particularly amusing call to Christian, recalling his time on Wacaday in the 80s and giving Chris Evans his first break on the air.