2014 in British radio

none October 2023 2014 British radio British television British music This is a list of events in British radio during 2014. Events January 1 January – Jazz FM stops broadcasting on the national Digital One multiplex, but continues to be available on DAB in London, online and through satellite television.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/12/jazz-fm-leaves-national-dab-digital-radio/ Jazz FM leaves national DAB digital radio Radio Today 5 December 2013 13 December 2013 Its Digital One slot is temporarily taken over by the return of Birdsong Radio, with plans for a permanent replacement in February.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/new-national-dab-station-to-launch-in-feb/ New national DAB station to launch in Feb Radio Today 1 January 2014 1 January 2014 2 January – The morning's edition of BBC Radio 4's Today is guest edited by musician PJ Harvey, with items includes a Thought for the Day from WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and a segment in which John Pilger criticises US President Barack Obama for not closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. The content prompts Labour MP Ian Austin to brand it as the programme's worst ever edition.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/today-today-branded-worst-edition-ever/ "Today" today branded worst edition ever Radio Today 2 January 2014 3 January 2014 3 January – Former Radio 1 and GEM-AM presenter Jenni Costello joins internet station Solid Gold Gem to present Ready, Steady 80s, a weekly programme dedicated to hits from the decade.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/12/ex-bbc-radio-1-host-joins-internet-station/ Ex-BBC Radio 1 host joins internet station Radio Today 23 December 2011 23 December 2013 6 January – It had been reported on 30 December 2013 that Hot Radio would close at 18:00,http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/12/hot-radio-bournemouth-to-close-next-week/ Hot Radio Bournemouth to close next week Radio Today 30 December 2013 4 January 2014 but the station remains on air after the deadline had passed.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/hot-radio-continues-despite-closure-news/ Hot Radio continues despite closure news Radio Today 6 January 2014 10 January 2014 8 January – Smooth Radio announces that weekend breakfast presenter Daryl Denham has left the station with immediate effect. His shows will be taken over by Emma B on Saturdays and Eamonn Kelly on Sundays.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/daryl-denham-exits-globals-smooth-radio/ Daryl Denahm exits Global's Smooth Radio Radio Today 8 January 2014 9 January 2014 9 January – Blur drummer Dave Rowntree begins hosting a Thursday evening show for XFM.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/blurs-drummer-dave-rowntree-to-join-xfm/ Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree to join Xfm Radio Today 8 January 2014 9 January 2014 10 January – Liverpool-based stations City Talk 105.9 and Radio City 96.7 both broadcast exclusive interviews with Prime Minister David Cameron.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/pm-david-cameron-interviewed-on-city-talk/ PM David Cameron interviewed on City Talk Radio Today 10 January 2014 10 January 2014 10 January – Radio 1 announces a schedule change that will see weekend breakfast presenter Gemma Cairney and weekday early breakfast host Dev swap shows.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a542955/bbc-radio-1s-gemma-cairney-to-swap-shows-with-dev.html BBC Radio 1's Gemma Cairney to swap shows with Dev Digital Spy 10 January 2014 10 January 2014 14 January – Talksport secures a deal with the Daily Mail to produce content featuring sports journalists and writers from the newspaper, including Jamie Redknapp, Martin Keown and Graham Poll.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/talksport-does-a-deal-with-the-daily-mail/ talkSPORT does a deal with the Daily Mail Radio Today 14 January 2014 15 January 2014 16 January – BBC Radio Northampton Breakfast Show presenter Stuart Linnell receives hospital treatment after he is hit by a police car shortly before he is due to go on air.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/bbc-radio-presenter-hit-by-a-police-car/ BBC radio presenter hit by a police car Radio Today 16 January 2014 16 January 2014 19 January – Radio 1's YouTube channel attracts its one millionth subscriber.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/bbc-radio-1-celebrates-1-million-youtubers/ BBC Radio 1 celebrates 1 million YouTubers Radio Today 27 January 2014 27 January 2014 20 January – Global Radio is found to be in breach of their license remit for Heart Cornwall after a listener complained to Ofcom that there was not enough local news and speech to make it a fully local station.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/global-radio-in-breach-for-heart-cornwall/ Global Radio in breach for Heart Cornwall Radio Today 20 January 2014 27 January 2014 24 January – Heart London presenters Jamie Theakston and Emma Bunton present their breakfast show from a listener's house in Buckinghamshire as part of a Sky promotion.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/jamie-emma-go-live-from-buckinghamshire/ Jamie & Emma go live from Buckinghamshire Radio Today 27 January 2014 27 January 2014 29 January Classic FM presenter John Suchet opens The Classic FM Foundation Lecture Room at the headquarters of London-based music therapy charity Nordoff-Robbins.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/john-suchet-opens-classic-fm-lecture-room/ John Suchet opens Classic FM Lecture Room Radio Today 29 January 2014 31 January 2014 Free Radio announces that Pat Sharp will present a special edition of its Guess the Year show for a week in February, his first on air appearance since leaving Smooth Radio in December 2013.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/pat-sharp-to-appear-on-free-radio-breakfast/ Pat Sharp to appear on Free Radio breakfast Radio Today 29 January 2014 31 January 2014 31 January – BBC Radio 4 decides to "rest" the Archers spin-off Ambridge Extra, which has been on air since 2011.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25977549 Archers bosses 'rest' Ambridge Extra spin-off BBC BBC News 31 January 2014 27 January 2015 February 4 February – The Radio Today website reports that Ofcom have given Global Radio permission to remove Smooth Radio from the Digital One platform, and replace it with a new national station. Under the agreement, Smooth will continue to air on its regional FM frequencies, but with a greater local output.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/smooth-radio-to-be-removed-from-digital-1/ Smooth Radio to be removed from Digital 1 Radio Today 4 February 2014 5 February 2014 6 February – Global Radio sells eight of its regional stations to Irish media holdings firm Communicorp.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/communicorp-buys-8-global-radio-stations/ Communicorp buys 8 Global Radio stations Radio Today 6 February 2014 6 February 2014 11 February – LBC launches nationally on the Digital One platform, dropping "97.3" from its name and adopting the slogan "Leading Britain's Conversation", taking over the slot formerly occupied by Jazz FM. The station also secures a sponsorship deal with the Financial Times.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/global-radio-to-take-lbc-national-on-d1/ Global Radio to take LBC national on D1 Radio Today 30 January 2014 31 January 2014http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/financial-times-sponsors-new-uk-wide-lbc/ Financial Times sponsors new UK wide LBC Radio Today 11 February 2014 12 February 2014 13 February – Disc jockey Dave Lee Travis is found not guilty on 12 accounts of historical sexual offences following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26177136 BBC News Dave Lee Travis trial: DJ cleared of indecent assault BBC 13 February 2014 13 February 2014 However, after the jury could not reach a decision on another two charges, it is announced on 24 February that he will face a retrial on the remaining allegations.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26322552 Dave Lee Travis to face retrial on sex offence charges BBC BBC News 24 February 2014 27 February 2014 On 28 March, it is announced he will face charges on another count.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26787306 BBC News Dave Lee Travis to be charged with indecent assault BBC 28 March 2014 28 March 2014 14 February – Free Radio hosts a wedding for two dogs to mark Valentine's Day.Martin Roy http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/valentines-day-dog-stunt-at-free-radio/ Valentine's Day dog stunt at Free Radio Radio Today 14 February 2014 14 February 2014 17 February – Speaking at the Radio Academy, Head of Music at Radio 1, George Ergatoudis, says that streaming will be included in the top 40 singles chart.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/streaming-to-be-included-in-singles-chart/ Streaming to be included in singles chart Radio Today 19 February 2014 3 March 2014 24 February – Plans are announced for Smooth Radio's relaunch, which will begin from 3 March. The changes will see the departure of several presenters, including Simon Bates and Lynn Parsons, while Andrew Castle, Kate Garraway and Myleene Klass will join the lineup. Castle will be the station's new breakfast presenter in London, while Garraway will take over Parsons' mid-morning show. Klass will present a weekend show.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/bates-and-parsons-out-as-smooth-relaunches/ Bates and Parsons out as Smooth relaunches Radio Today 24 February 2014 24 February 2014 25 February – Community station The Cat is awarded a five-year licence by Ofcom to broadcast to Nentwich and Crewe in Cheshire.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/the-cat-catches-five-year-ofcom-licence/ The Cat catches five year Ofcom licence Radio Today 25 February 2014 3 March 2014 March 3 March Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw leaves his breakfast show early to attend hospital for an X-ray after swallowing glass while drinking a cup of coffee. Fearne Cotton presents the remainder of the programme, while Grimshaw is discharged following treatment.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-26416948 Nick Grimshaw leaves Radio 1 show after swallowing glass BBC Newsbeat 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 Radio Today reports that London Turkish Radio is in serious continuous breach of its Ofcom licence after it ceased broadcasting following a power cut in October 2013.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/ltr-ceases-broadcasting-after-power-cut/ LTR ceases broadcasting after power cut Radio Today 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 A "technical error" leads to sound effects being broadcast over a news item about the trial of South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/bbc-says-sorry-for-local-radio-news-fail/ BBC says sorry for local radio news fail Radio Today 5 March 2014 5 March 2014Dugald Baird https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/mar/05/bbc-apologises-playing-screams-and-howling-oscar-pistorius-report BBC apologises after playing screams and howling over Oscar Pistorius report Guardian Media Group The Guardian 5 March 2014 5 March 2014 5 March – Mark Lawson will step down as presenter of Radio 4's Front Row after 16 years, it is announced.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26451155 BBC News Mark Lawson to leave BBC's Front Row BBC 5 March 2014 5 March 2014 7–8 March – Radio 1 marks International Women's Day with two nights of an all-female line-up from 7pm to 7am, featuring presenters like Annie Nightingale and Adele Roberts. The second night is also aired on 1Xtra.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/01/radio-1-1xtra-go-all-female-all-night/ Radio 1 & 1Xtra go all female all night Radio Today 15 January 2014 15 January 2014 12 March – Sky News host Kay Burley will join The Suns Stig Abell to host a Sunday morning magazine programme for LBC from 23 March.Greenslade Roy https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/mar/12/kay-burley-stephen-abell Kay Burley and The Sun's Stig Abell to co-host LBC breakfast radio show Guardian Media Group The Guardian 12 August 2014 13 March 2014 14 March – Global Radio announces that Gold will become a non-stop music service, with the exception of the breakfast show and Saturday's Vinyl Heaven. Presenters Paul Coyte, Eamonn Kelly, Dean Martin and Andy Peebles are also dropped from the network.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/gold-drops-presenters-outside-breakfast/ Gold drops presenters outside breakfast Radio Today 14 March 2014 15 March 2014 15 March – Singer Lily Allen guest presents Dermot O'Leary's Saturday show on BBC Radio 2.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/lily-allen-to-cover-dermots-radio-2-show/ Lily Allen to cover Dermot's Radio 2 show Radio Today 13 March 2014 13 March 2014 18 March – In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live's Richard Bacon, former Radio 1 presenter Noel Edmonds talks of his desire to buy the BBC and turn it into a not-for-profit broadcaster, while scrapping BBC Local Radio.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/drop-bbc-local-radio-says-noel-edmonds/ "Cut BBC Local Radio" says Noel Edmonds Radio Today 18 March 2014 18 March 2014 18 March – BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey have hired David Jensen, David Hamilton and Jeni Barnett to cover some of their shows in March and April.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/kid-jensen-joins-bbc-sussex-and-surrey/ Kid Jensen joins BBC Sussex and Surrey Radio Today 18 March 2014 18 March 2014 21 March – Cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins makes a cameo appearance in Radio 4's The Archers as part of the BBC's Sport Relief celebrations.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26557864 BBC News Sir Bradley Wiggins set for Archers cameo appearance BBC 13 March 2014 13 March 2014 24 March Smooth Radio returns to airing local output on its regional frequencies, with local programming for Breakfast and Drivetime, and a raft of new presenters joining the network.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/smooth-radio-returns-to-regional-output/ Smooth Radio returns to regional output Radio Today 19 March 2014 19 March 2014 Smooth Radio replaces Gold on MW across southern England.Gold announces AM and DAB departure date 26 March – LBC airs a studio debate between Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage discussing Britain's future in Europe ahead of May's elections to the European Parliament.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/lbc-to-host-first-leaders-europe-debate/ LBC to host first leaders' Europe debate Radio Today 5 March 2014 5 March 2014 28 March – BBC Radio 5 Live celebrates its 20th anniversary.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-26766698 BBC News Radio 5 live celebrates 20 years of broadcasting BBC 28 March 2014 28 March 2014 30 March – More than 600 editions of Alistair Cooke's Letter from America from the 1970s, thought to have been lost, are recovered from cassette recordings made by two listeners.O'Connell Paddy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26692193 BBC News Alistair Cooke: Long-lost letters from 1970s America BBC 30 March 2014 30 March 2014 31 March – Radio Caroline North returns for a month to celebrate its 50th birthday, broadcasting from a lightship in Liverpool's Albert Dock.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/caroline-north-returns-for-50th-birthday/ Caroline North returns for 50th birthday Radio Today 19 February 2014 3 March 2014 April 1 April – Insight Radio launches on Freeview channel 730.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/04/rnib-insight-radio-launches-on-freeview/ RNIB Insight Radio launches on Freeview Radio Today 3 April 2014 7 April 2014 4 April – Real XS Glasgow closes at midnight, and is rebranded as Xfm Scotland from 7 April.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/04/this-is-the-last-link-on-real-xs-glasgow/ This is the last link on Real XS Glasgow Radio Today 6 April 2014 7 April 2014 6 April – Smooth Radio launches a multi-million ad campaign featuring Michael Bublé.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/04/smooth-radios-new-multi-million-campaign/ Smooth Radio's new multi-million campaign Radio Today 6 April 2014 7 April 2014 7–10 April – As part of the BBC's celebration of the 20th anniversary of Britpop, Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley present a week of Radio 1's long running The Evening Session on BBC Radio 2.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/lamacq-whiley-reunited-on-bbc-radio-2/ Lamacq & Whiley reunited on BBC Radio 2 Radio Today 17 March 2014 17 March 2014 9 April – Sajid Javid is appointed as Culture Secretary following the resignation of Maria Miller.Andrew Grice https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/culture-secretary-maria-miller-resigns-amid-expenses-row-9247795.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/culture-secretary-maria-miller-resigns-amid-expenses-row-9247795.html 2022-05-01 subscription Maria Miller resigns: Sajid Javid appointed new Culture Secretary following expenses row Independent Print Limited The Independent 9 April 2014 9 April 2014 15 April – Classic FM dedicates an entire 24 hours of its music to the recordings of Sir Neville Marriner to celebrate his 90th birthday.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/02/classic-fm-to-air-one-conductor-for-24hr/ Classic FM to air one conductor for 24hr Radio Today 26 February 2014 3 March 2014 21 April – The Lark Ascending, composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, voted Britain's favourite piece of classical music by listeners of Classic FM.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/10778394/Lark-Ascending-tops-classical-poll.html Lark Ascending tops classical poll The Daily Telegraph 21 April 2014 29 July 2014 May 1 May – The BBC will provide radio, television and online coverage of the Hay Literary Festival in June, it is announced, as it takes over broadcast rights for the event from Sky Arts.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-27244052 BBC News BBC to broadcast Hay Festival on radio, TV, and online BBC 1 May 2014 1 May 2014 6 May Real Radio is rebranded as Heart.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/05/heart-arrives-in-former-real-radio-areas/ Heart arrives in former Real Radio areas Radio Today 6 May 2014 6 June 2014 Following the launch of Heart North Wales, Capital North West and Wales replaces the former Heart station Heart North Wales & West which had broadcast to Cheshire, the Wirral Peninsula and North Wales.Global confirms Heart expansion details, RadioToday, 14 April 2014 9 May – BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio 5 Live are taken off air when fire alarms are activated at the BBC's Salford studios.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/05/bbc-radio-stations-in-salford-evacuated/ BBC radio stations in Salford evacuated Radio Today 9 May 2014 10 May 2014 11 May – BBC Radio Devon presenter David Lowe has lost his "Singers and Swingers" slot after playing a 1932 version of "The Sun Has Got His Hat On" by Ambrose & His Orchestra that includes the n-word, it is reported.Maev Kennedy https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/11/bbc-dj-david-lowe-quits-racism-row-jeremy-clarkson BBC DJ David Lowe quits in latest racism row Guardian Media Group The Guardian 11 May 2014 11 May 2014 Lowe, who had not realised the song contained the word, offered to give an on-air apology or "fall on [his] sword" after a viewer complained, the latter of which was accepted.Steve Anderson https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/after-jeremy-clarkson-row-veteran-dj-is-forced-to-quit-for-accidentally-playing-song-with-nword-in-9349709.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/after-jeremy-clarkson-row-veteran-dj-is-forced-to-quit-for-accidentally-playing-song-with-nword-in-9349709.html 2022-05-01 subscription Jeremy Clarkson row: Veteran DJ David Lowe 'forced to quit' for accidentally playing song with 'N-word' Independent Print Limited The Independent 11 May 2014 11 May 2014 The BBC says the incident could have been handled better. Lowe was offered his job back, but declined citing stress over the incident.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-27360884 BBC News BBC Radio Devon DJ David Lowe loses job over racist word BBC 11 May 2014 11 May 2014 The incident follows recent controversy over Jeremy Clarkson's use of the same word while recording an episode of Top Gear, which led to him receiving a final warning from the Corporation. 16 May – An LBC interview with UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage is interrupted by his spin doctor, Patrick O'Flynn after the latter believed it had overrun. During the interview Farage is questioned about comments he made concerning his discomfort with hearing foreign languages spoken in the UK given that his wife is German, and whether he would sign his party up to an expenses audit process.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27437982 BBC News Nigel Farage's spin doctor interrupts live radio interview BBC 16 May 2014 17 May 2014 June 6 June – Surrey Hills Community Radio based in Leatherhead begins live broadcasting on the internet at 7pm 13 June – Simon Hirst hosts the final edition of Hirsty's Daily Dose on Capital Yorkshire after 11½ years. July 1 July – BBC Radio 5 Live announces the departure of Richard Bacon, Victoria Derbyshire and Shelagh Fogarty, who will leave when the station's schedule is overhauled in the autumn.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28105640 Richard Bacon and Victoria Derbyshire to leave 5 live BBC BBC News 1 July 2014 7 July 2014 7 July – Emma Barnett, women's editor of The Daily Telegraph will join BBC Radio 5 Live.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28199152 Emma Barnett, Telegraph's woman's editor, joins 5 live BBC BBC News 7 July 2014 7 July 2014 20 July – BBC Three television launches mockumentary sitcom People Just Do Nothing based around Kurupt FM, a fictitious pirate radio station broadcasting UK garage and drum and bass music from Brentford in West London. 25 July – Actress Eleanor Bron has joined The Archers as Carol Tregorran, a character who last appeared in the series 60 years ago, BBC News reports.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28472190 BBC News Eleanor Bron joins The Archers cast BBC 25 July 2014 29 July 2014 August 11 August – First broadcast of semi-autobiographical sitcom The Cold Swedish Winter on BBC Radio 4, written by Danny Robins, concerning an expatriate English stand-up comedian and recorded on location in Sweden including Swedish actors.https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/the_cold_swedish_winter/ The Cold Swedish Winter British Comedy Guide 2019-09-30 15 August – Jonathan Ross will return to BBC Radio 2 for the first time in four years when he sits in for Steve Wright from 26 to 29 August.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28801915 BBC News Jonathan Ross returns to BBC Radio 2 BBC 15 August 2014 15 August 2014 September 1 September – Peter Horrocks will step down as Director of the BBC World Service and leave the Corporation in early 2015, it is announces.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29009119 BBC World Service boss Peter Horrocks to step down BBC BBC News 1 September 2014 1 September 2014 15 September – The Jazz FM schedule receives an overhaul, which includes an hour of specialist jazz programmes each day, and Lynn Parsons taking over as presenter of The Jazz Breakfast.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/09/lynn-parsons-to-host-jazz-fm-breakfast/ Lynn Parsons to host Jazz FM Breakfast Radio Today 11 September 2014 21 October 2014 29 September – Sky Sports News Radio has ceased broadcasting, it is reported, its content having been subsumed into Sky Sports.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29407848 Sky Sports News Radio service closes down BBC 29 September 2014 BBC News 3 October 2014 Undated in September – The specialist output on MFR (Moray Firth Radio) ends and is replaced by networked content from Bauer's 'Greatest Hits Network' of Scottish AM stations. October 6 October – Schedule changes at BBC Radio 5 Live are rolled out, and see Adrian Chiles take on the mid morning show, and Dan Walker and Sarah Brett taking on afternoons.Pete Naughton https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11147296/Why-wont-Radio-5-Live-let-a-woman-run-the-show.html Why won't Radio 5 Live let a woman run the show? Telegraph Media Group The Daily Telegraph 7 October 2014 17 November 2014 11 October – During an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live with Stephen Nolan, Stephanie Hirst reveals she is in the process of gender transition from male to female. This being one of the reasons why she left her show Hirsty's Daily Dose on Capital Yorkshire earlier in 2014. 15 October – Launch of the BBC Genome Project, an online resource allowing users to browse through back copies of the Radio Times from 1923 to 2009, including television and radio listings.https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/posts/Genome-The-Radio-Times-Archive-is-now-live https://web.archive.org/web/20141019034330/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/posts/Genome-The-Radio-Times-Archive-is-now-live dead 19 October 2014 Genome – Radio Times archive now live Bishop Hilary BBC Online BBC 15 October 2014 15 October 2014https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/oct/16/bbc-digitises-radio-times-back-issues-genome-project BBC digitises Radio Times back issues Mark Sweney The Guardian Guardian Media Group 16 October 2014 16 October 2014 20 October – Ofcom reprimands BBC Radio 1 for breaking the broadcasting guidelines after Lily Allen and Ed Sheeran swore on air during the Big Weekend festival in May.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29691358 BBC Radio 1's Lily Allen set broke swearing rules BBC News BBC 20 October 2014 20 October 2014 22 October – Former Radio 1 presenter Mike Read requests the withdrawal of "UKIP Calypso", a song he wrote in support of the UK Independence Party after complaints that it was racist. The song featured Read singing in praise of the party using a fake Caribbean accent.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29722860 Mike Read withdraws UKIP Calypso song BBC News BBC 22 October 2014 22 October 2014 22 October – The BBC issues an apology after Michael Buerk criticised the victim in the Ched Evans rape case during a trailer for the evening's edition of Radio 4's The Moral Maze.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/oct/22/bbc-apologises-michael-buerk-ched-evans-radio-4 BBC apologises over Michael Buerk's comments on Ched Evans case The Guardian Guardian Media Group 22 October 2014 23 October 2014 27 October – Richard Allinson joins Magic 105.4 FM to present the weekday drive-time show. 31 October – BBC Radio 4 begins broadcasting an occasional series of re-recordings of lost episodes of 1950s radio sitcom Hancock's Half Hour under the banner The Missing Hancocks, produced by Neil Pearson and Ed Morrish. The initial five scripts have been selected by Galton and Simpson, the original writers, and were recorded in their presence, with Kevin McNally taking the part of Tony Hancock, in April.The Missing Hancocks British Comedy Guide https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/the_missing_hancocks/ 2026-08-19 November 7 November – The Radio Academy announces the discontinuation of its annual Radio Academy Awards after three decades. The Awards had been sponsored by Sony until 2013.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29956456 Radio Academy scraps annual awards BBC BBC News 7 November 2014 11 November 2014 10 November – BBC Radio 1 is censured by Ofcom after an edition of its Newsbeat programme aired in June that included an interview with a British-born jihadist in which he compared his membership of Islamic State to the video game Call of Duty. The regulator felt the comments had no context.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29987119 BBC's Newsbeat censured over Islamic State news report BBC BBC News 10 November 2014 11 November 2014 14 November World War II Royal Navy test pilot Eric "Winkle" Brown appears as a guest on the 3000th edition of Desert Island Discs.http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Winkle-3-000th-Desert-Island-Discs-castaway/story-24409007-detail/story.html 'Winkle' becomes 3,000th Desert Island Discs castaway Local World Western Morning News November 2014 11 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141111173852/http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Winkle-3-000th-Desert-Island-Discs-castaway/story-24409007-detail/story.html 11 November 2014 dead Former BBC DJ Chris Denning pleads guilty to further sexual abuse of boys aged nine to sixteen during the 1970s and 1980s.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30058689 Chris Denning convicted again of sex abuse against boys BBC BBC News 14 November 2014 14 November 2014 15 November – Smooth Christmas returns to DAB in preparation for the launch of a new station with the Smooth brand.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/11/global-to-launch-smooth-extra-on-national-dab/ Global to launch Smooth Extra on national DAB Radio Today 10 November 2014 21 January 2015 19 November – BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Nick Conrad apologises following comments he made about rape during a live debate about footballer and convicted rapist Ched Evans.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-30112715 BBC presenter Nick Conrad sorry for Ched Evans rape remarks BBC News BBC 19 November 2014 19 November 2014 20 November – Vanessa Feltz, Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson and Nicky Campbell are among several presenters to be inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30129929 Vanessa Feltz to be inducted into Radio Academy Hall of Fame BBC News BBC 20 November 2014 20 November 2014 27 November – BBC Radio 4 will air a 10-hour adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace on New Year's Day 2015, the BBC confirms.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30228501 War and Peace to take over Radio 4 BBC BBC News 27 November 2014 29 November 2014 28 November – Guest editors are announced for BBC Radio 4's The Today Programme over the festive season. They will include comedian Lenny Henry, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow and Mervyn King, the former Governor of the Bank of England.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30243337 Lenny Henry to guest edit Radio 4's Today BBC News BBC 29 November 2014 29 November 2014 30 November – The online classic hits station Solid Gold Gem ceases broadcasting after two years on air.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/11/online-station-solid-gold-gem-am-closes-after-two-years/ Online station Solid Gold GEM AM closes after two years Radio Today 27 November 2014 7 February 2015 December 2 December – BBC Radio Devon announces that Simon Bates will join the station to present the breakfast show from January 2015.https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/simon-bates-radio-devon BBC Radio Devon announces Simon Bates as new Breakfast presenter from 12 January BBC BBC Media Centre 2 December 2014 13 January 2015 7 December – Comedian Tom Binns apologises to his wife, radio producer Liesl Soards, after he read out the contents of an email exchange she had with Simon Bates while the two were working at Smooth Radio, then described Bates as being "as focused as a cunt". Binns had been commenting on Bates forthcoming Radio Devon show.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/12/tom-binns-apologies-for-comments-about-simon-bates/ Tom Binns apologises for comments about Simon Bates Radio Today 7 December 2014 13 January 2015 15 December – Solid Gold Gem is relaunched with Len Groat as its new manager after closing down two weeks earlier. No reason is given for the hiatus.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/12/online-oldies-station-solid-gold-gem-am-returns/ Online oldies station Solid Gold Gem AM returns Radio Today 7 December 2014 7 February 2015 27 December – Launch of Smooth Extra on DAB. 30 December – Papers released by the National Archives reveal that in September 1979 Margaret Thatcher considered introducing advertising for some BBC radio services, but later scrapped the idea after encountering opposition.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30622889 Margaret Thatcher considered advertising on BBC BBC BBC News 30 December 2014 30 December 2014 Station debuts 7 April – Xfm Scotland 6 June – Surrey Hills Community Radio in Leatherhead 27 December – Smooth ExtraRoy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/12/smooth-extra-launches-on-dab-digital-radio/ Smooth Extra launches on DAB digital radio Radio Today 27 December 2014 7 January 2015 Unknown – London One Radiohttps://radiotoday.co.uk/2021/04/uks-italian-community-help-grow-london-one-radio/ UK's Italian community help grow London One Radio Apr 14, 2021 Apr 17, 2021 Radio Today Programme debuts 19 February– Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! on BBC Radio 4 (2014–2022) 2 April – Bunk Bed on BBC Radio 4 (2014–Present) 29 May – Plum House on BBC Radio 4 (2014–2020) 4 August – Home Front on BBC Radio 4 (2014–2018) 11 August – The Cold Swedish Winter on BBC Radio 4 (2014–2021) 10 October – Friday Sports Panel on BBC Radio 5 Live (2014–Present) Relaunching this year after a break of one month or more 15 November – Smooth Christmas (2011, 2012, 2014) Returning this year after a break of one year or longer 30 July – Dead Ringers returning to BBC Radio 4 (2000–2007, 2014–Present) Continuing radio programmes 1940s The Sunday Hour (1940–2018) Desert Island Discs (1942–Present) Woman's Hour (1946–Present) A Book at Bedtime (1949–Present) 1950s The Archers (1950–Present) The Today Programme (1957–Present) 1960s Farming Today (1960–Present) In Touch (1961–Present) The World at One (1965–Present) The Official Chart (1967–Present) Just a Minute (1967–Present) The Living World (1968–Present) The Organist Entertains (1969–2018) 1970s PM (1970–Present) Start the Week (1970–Present) You and Yours (1970–Present) I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (1972–Present) Good Morning Scotland (1973–Present) Newsbeat (1973–Present) File on 4 (1977–Present) Money Box (1977–Present) The News Quiz (1977–Present) Feedback (1979–Present) The Food Programme (1979–Present) Science in Action (1979–Present) 1980s Steve Wright in the Afternoon (1981–1993, 1999–2022) In Business (1983–Present) Sounds of the 60s (1983–Present) Loose Ends (1986–Present) 1990s The Moral Maze (1990–Present) Essential Selection (1991–Present) Essential Mix (1993–Present) Up All Night (1994–Present) Wake Up to Money (1994–Present) Private Passions (1995–Present) In Our Time (1998–Present) Material World (1998–Present) Scott Mills (1998–2022) The Now Show (1998–Present) 2000s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (2000–Present) Big John @ Breakfast (2000–Present) Sounds of the 70s (2000–2008, 2009–Present) Kermode and Mayo's Film Review (2001–2022) A Kist o Wurds (2002–Present) Fighting Talk (2003–Present) Jeremy Vine (2003–Present) Annie Mac (2004–2021) Fearne Cotton (2009–2015) Elaine Paige on Sunday (2004–Present) The Bottom Line (2006–Present) The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show (2006–Present) The Unbelievable Truth (2006–Present) Radcliffe & Maconie (2007–Present) Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show (2008–2017) The Media Show (2008–Present) Newsjack (2009–Present) Paul O'Grady on the Wireless (2009–2022) Alan and Mel's Summer Escape (2009–2020) 2010s Weekend Wogan (2010–2015) The Chris Evans Breakfast Show (2010–2018) Graham Norton (2010–2020) Simon Mayo Drivetime (2010–2018) The Third Degree (2011–Present) BBC Radio 1's Dance Anthems (2012–Present) Late Night Graham Torrington (2012–2020) The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw (2012–2018) Sounds of the 80s (2013–Present) Question Time Extra Time (2013–Present) The Show What You Wrote (2013–Present) Ending this year 21 March – Simon Bates at Breakfast (2011–2014) Closing this year Date Station Debut(s)4 AprilReal XS Glasgow200727 DecemberSmooth Christmas2011, 2012, 2014 Deaths 5 January – Simon Hoggart, 67, journalist and broadcasterMichael White https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jan/06/simon-hoggart-guardian-observer-journalist-dies-67 Simon Hoggart, Guardian and Observer journalist, dies aged 67 The Guardian Guardian Media Group London 6 January 2014 6 January 2014 12 January – Paul Norris, 45, radio presenterhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-25712331 BBC News Scots DJ Paul Norris killed in Thailand crash BBC 13 January 2014 14 January 2014 16 January – Steve Evans, 52, amateur magician and radio personalityhttp://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/inspirational-dad-steve-evans-dies-6514648 Inspirational dad Steve Evans dies after sharing cancer battle on Twitter Trinity Mirror Birmingham Mail 16 January 2014 16 January 2014https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-25757028 BBC News Five Live radio fame cancer patient Steve Evans dies BBC 16 January 2014 16 January 2014 17 February – Frank Wappat, 84, broadcaster (BBC Radio Newcastle)https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-26228311 Veteran BBC radio broadcaster Frank Wappat dies BBC BBC News 17 February 2014 3 March 2014 7 March – Hal Douglas, 90, voice-overBen Child https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/13/hal-douglas-movie-trailer-voiceover-dies Movie trailer voiceover legend Hal Douglas dies at 89 Guardian Media Group The Guardian 13 March 2014 17 March 2014http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/popular-voiceover-hal-douglas-dies-at-90/ Popular voiceover Hal Douglas dies at 90 Radio Today 10 March 2014 17 March 2014 19 April – Derek Cooper, 88, food writer and broadcaster 6 May – Antony Hopkins, 93, composer, pianist, conductor and music broadcaster 1 August – Mike Smith, 59, television presenter, previously BBC Radio 1 DJhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28623367 Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Smith dies aged 59 BBC BBC News 2 August 2014 1 August 2014 18 August – James Alexander Gordon, 78, Sports Report football results announcer. 21 August – Gerry Anderson, 69, Northern Irish radio broadcaster 30 September – Sheila Tracy, 80, broadcast presenter, previously swing trombonistClaire Duffin https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/11134116/Sheila-Tracy-the-first-woman-to-read-the-news-on-Radio-4-dies.html Sheila Tracy, the first woman to read the news on Radio 4, dies 2014-10-01 The Daily Telegraph London 2014-10-03 9 October – David Rayvern Allen, 76, radio producer and cricket writerMichael Down https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/27/david-rayvern-allen David Rayvern Allen obituary The Guardian 2014-10-26 2026-04-19 14 November – Betty Smith, 93, BBC Radio Humberside presenterhttp://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Tributes-paid-award-winning-BBC-Radio-Humberside/story-24548494-detail/story.html Tributes paid to award-winning BBC Radio Humberside presenter Betty Smith who has died aged 93 Local World Hull Daily Mail 18 November 2014 18 November 2014 https://archive.today/20141119003017/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Tributes-paid-award-winning-BBC-Radio-Humberside/story-24548494-detail/story.html 19 November 2014 dead dmy-all Unknown – Rod Webster, 69, radio executive and founder of Radio Bordershttp://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/founding-father-of-radio-borders-dies-1-3652213 Founding father of Radio Borders dies Johnston Press The Southern Reporter 6 January 2015 7 January 2015 References 30em Radio British Radio, 2014 In Category:Years in British radio