Broadcaster Pete Murray is returning to radio to celebrate his 100th birthday today.
Murray, who first made his name on Radio Luxembourg in the early 1950s before moving to the BBC Light Programme, Radio 1 and later Radio 2, will host a special edition of The Boom Top Five at 11am on Boom Radio.
The programme will count down the biggest songs from his birthday week in 1963, featuring tracks by Cliff Richard and The Beatles.
Although he appeared regularly on television in the early years of pop, Murray has often said radio was his true love.
He presented Open House on Radio 2 for a decade, attracting millions of listeners, and was twice voted BBC Radio Personality of the Year in the 1970s.
He was one of the original DJs when BBC Radio 1 launched in 1967, helping to establish the new network as it targeted a younger audience, and later became a key part of Radio 2’s daytime line-up.
Murray was also closely associated with Eurovision coverage for the BBC, fronting UK heats and providing commentary on both radio and TV. Beyond music, he was heard on shows from Family Favourites to Open House, shaping daytime radio for millions of listeners across three decades.
Fellow Boom presenter David Hamilton has credited Murray with inspiring his own six-decade career. Murray’s ad-libbing style and warmth also influenced Kenny Everett and many others who followed.
Speaking ahead of his centenary broadcast, Murray reflected: “I really didn’t expect to be here on my hundredth birthday. Now, I’m looking forward to the 200th.”
Pete was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Grand Order of Water Rats, presented to him by Mike Read.