The longest serving presenter of Century Radio in the North East has defected to the BBC. Football commentator Alistair Brownlee is leaving the GMG station to join BBC Tees, formerly BBC Radio Cleveland, after commentating on Middlesbrough FC matches with Century for 12 years.
Brownlee, who also presents the station's Saturday afternoon sports show, has been on the substitutes bench over the past year after Century lost their long-held commentary rights. BBC Tees signed an exclusive one year contract last summer with the football club and will continue the commentary next season.
Together with summariser and Century Radio's Legends Phone-In presenter Bernie Slaven, Brownlee won a New York Festival award in 2006 for his commentary. It is unknown whether Slaven will join Brownlee at BBC Tees at the beginning of the new season.
