Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio wants listeners’ memories ahead of its 50th anniversary

Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio celebrates its 50th anniversary in April 2024, and listeners are being invited to share their own memories of the Mancunian institution.

The station became one of the most popular mixed news and entertainment radio stations in the country, listened to and loved by millions of people.

And now a special book – titled ‘For the Record – Piccadilly Radio’s 50th Anniversary’ –  is scheduled for publication next year.

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Written by Piccadilly old boys Tony Ingham and Brian Beech, it will be a unique look at the show’s mammoth journey, featuring the story of the people who made it happen. 

The book will tell the story of the presenters, journalists, producers, engineers and – most importantly – listeners, for which Piccadilly Radio became the soundtrack to their lives.

For many, the iconic 261 logo and jingles quickly became part of everyday life in the North West of England.

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Ingham said: “For the listener, Piccadilly Radio was their music and their friend. Mention it to anyone of a certain age and immediately they are back under the bedclothes with Dave Ward or remembering ‘It’s a Goal!’ or ‘Oh no!’ Nobody did it better.

“We’ve got lots of stories from colleagues who worked there, but a major reason that Piccadilly was so successful was that it broadcast to the most responsive and the very best of audiences. We want to hear what Piccadilly Radio meant to them.”

The station birthed the careers of several national personalities, including Chris Evans, Timmy Mallett, Gary Davies, Mark Radcliffe, Andy Crane, Steve Penk and Andy Peebles.

Phil Wood OB Bolton TH Square; Mike Sweeney (supplied)

It also nurtured hugely popular local personalities including Susie Mathis, Phil Wood, Dave Ward, Mike Shaft, Pete Baker, James Stannage, Tim Grundy, Becky Want and Mike Sweeney.

As Chris Evans once said, “Piccadilly Radio knew exactly who it was and what it was about.  It was a new voice for a new generation. It was about the North West and everyone who lived there.”

If you have a story from the Piccadilly Radio glory days, you can email them at piccadillyat50@gmail.com for the chance to be included in the book.