New Content Director for Planet Rock and Kerrang! Radio Bauer has appointed James Pllu as Content Director for Planet Rock and Kerrang! Radio, where he was previously Head of Content for both brands.

radiotoday.co.uk/2026/04/new-...

Andy Kershaw dies aged 66 after illness Former BBC Radio 1 presenter Andy Kershaw has died aged 66 after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year

radiotoday.co.uk/2026/04/andy...

Entertainment & Arts | Latest News & Updates | BBC News Get all the latest news, live updates and content about Entertainment & Arts from across the BBC.

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Moya Brennan: Irish musician dies aged 73 The singer came to prominence when she began performing with her family in the group Clannad, which was formed in 1970.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Good to be back on air in the original Downtown studio this morning with Ivan, chatting to Gary and Glen. The Downtown 50 Years On documentary is available for 2 more days on the Rayo app. Catch it while you can!

Looking forward to joining Gary and Glen on Downtown with Ivan Martin tomorrow morning after 9, with 5 signed copies of the book as competition prizes!

‘This is one day I’ll remember’: NI DJ wins £75,000 NI DJ and Cool FM host Ryan Annett lands a life-changing £75,000 prize with his family by his side

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My fond memories of Downtown Radio glory days... including how May McFettridge angered Prince Philip’s bodyguard It’s one thing to read in a new book about May McFettridge’s hairy encounter with the Duke of Edinburgh and his gun-toting bodyguards — but it’s quite another to hear the story from the lady herself.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/...

New book released to coincide with Downtown Radio’s 50 anniversary A new book marking 50 years of Downtown Radio has been released, telling the station’s story from its earliest roots up until today.

radiotoday.co.uk/2026/04/new-...

The story of Downtown Radio comes to life in new book 'It Brought a Smile to Your Ear' 'It Brought a Smile to Your Ear' is a fascinating new book that explores the...

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Hello Mark, it was lovely to meet you & Paul & Thank You both for the photo. It was a wonderful afternoon 📻

It Brought a Smile to Your Ear | Colourpoint Books The cynics dismissed it as a flash in the pan, but Downtown Radio is still a massive hit with listeners 50 years on. When I went to Newtownards as a young newspaper journalist to write about the very ...

After all the enjoyable celebrations and nostalgia on Monday for Downtown’s 50th birthday, an update on the online source for the book:
colourpointbooks.com/product/it-b...

One for @transdiffusion.org - the original reels of Tony Hatch's Downtown Radio jingles from 1976.

Cool FM studio, Kiltonga, Newtownards

Been a while since I was last in this studio 📻...

Downtown Radio Newsbooth, Kiltonga, Newtownards.

A fabulous afternoon, meeting up with old colleagues for a last visit to Kiltonga Industrial Estate and the home of Downtown Radio and Cool FM. 37 years ago this month I sat down in this News Booth for the first time....

Picture of a Book: It Brought A Smile To Your Ear Downtown Radio 50 Years On. With 293 Downtown Radio Logo

Apparently, I asked from the back seat, way back in 1976, "why does Downtown vanish everytime we go under a bridge?"... Very enjoyable read. Ivan Martin and @jrradioni.bsky.social have captured the station I grew up with perfectly. "For the memories and the music..." 📻

One last time at Downtown's studios at Kiltonga in Newtownards with @paulbuckle.bsky.social .

Downtown Radio celebrates it’s 50th birthday today. To become the “station voice” and a presenter on the station for nearly a decade was a childhood dream come true. I'm really proud to have played a small part in the Downtown story.

1976 - Downtown Radio Station Launch from 6am YouTube video by NI Radio Archive

I was working at Downtown Radio at the time of the 20th birthday celebrations.... today the station is 50 years old! It's the station we listened to at home when I was growing up and I'm proud to have been a (very!) small part of its history. youtu.be/6vy6zsi4hDg?...

DT Radio - Old Downtown Radio 293 70's Jingle YouTube video by NI Radio Archive

And here's one of those jingles... youtu.be/nuGMqIjdsP0?...

DT Radio - Old Downtown Wherever You Go 70's Jingle YouTube video by NI Radio Archive

youtu.be/ULg7_NfTWF8?...

So many great people have been involved with Downtown over the years - thinking of them all on this momentous day, and especially those who have sadly passed on.
More reflections and word of the new book and ‘Downtown 50 Years On’ tonight from 7-9pm here:
www.nocturnemedia.co.uk/jrs-blog

Noel Doran: When Downtown Radio ruled the airwaves – and I was briefly its duty news editor Station celebrating 50th anniversary had first hourly news bulletins in Ireland, north or south

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Downtown Radio stars set to say ‘Solonga Kiltonga’ as station prepares to leave its Newtownards home Downtown Radio stars are set to say “Solonga Kiltonga” this weekend as the station ceases transmission from its original Co Down studio.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainmen...

‘Old Girls’ of Downtown Radio reunite to celebrate 50 years on the air: ‘It was a super start to our careers’ | Belfast Telegraph Well-known presenters who cut their teeth at the commercial broadcaster gather to reminisce

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...

How Eamonn Holmes gave panto star John Linehan his big break as May McFettridge: ‘It was just a bit of Belfast banter’ New book celebrating 50 years of Downtown Radio delves into birth of ‘Belfast’s favourite housewife’

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/...

The story of how Downtown Radio gave the BBC a bloody nose 50 years ago I’m assured by a media contact that what I’m about to tell you is not fake news, but for once I don’t care.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/...

Former host of Downtown Radio’s ‘biggest ever show’ writes book charting station’s success and rise of household names The co-host of “the most popular radio show in Downtown’s 50-year history” has written a book chronicling the rise of some of Northern Ireland’s biggest stars.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...

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