This long-running 60-minute BBC Radio programme was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on 4 October 1955 and was originally hosted by Franklin Engelmann and based on the Top 20 from the UK Singles Chart.
It transferred to BBC Radio 1 (simulcast on BBC Radio 2) from 1967 to 1972, and the show was revived in 1989, running for six years, before the current production started on BBC Radio 2 in 1997.
Alan “Fluff” Freeman (a former radio announcer from Melbourne, Australia) took over in 1961 and became the show’s longest-serving presenter, continuing with the show when it moved to Radio 1 and staying until the programme ended on 24 September 1972.
Between 1961 and 1966, the theme tune was At the Sign of the Swingin’ Cymbal written and performed by Brian Fahey and his Orchestra. In 1966 it was replaced with Quite Beside The Point by the Harry Roberts Sound, but was reinstated in 1970.
Presenters Franklin Engelmann (1955)
Alan Dell (1956, 1957 – 1958)
David Jacobs (1956 – 1957, 1958 – 1961, 1962)
Don Moss (1963)
Alan Freeman (1961 – 2000)
Dale Winton (2000 – 2010)
Tony Blackburn (2010 – 2016)
Mark Goodier (2016, 2018)
Paul Gambaccini (2016 – present)
Audio
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