Essex Radio Remembered

The voices

The day one presenters included:

Jon Scragg (Now at Smooth Radio), Steve Wood, Paul Lee, Tim Lloyd (Timbo, recently on BBC Essex), Lindsay King, Terry Davis, Alan Bell, Dave Gregory (now a freelance voiceover), Keith Rogers, Dave Gillbee, Roger Buxton (also with BBC Essex), Andrew Marshall, Dennis Rookard, Andy Anderson, Jeff Bonser, Chris Green, Jon and Penny Ledigo, Eddie Blackwell and John Wellington...

Later presenters included:

John Hayes, Peter Holmes, Chris Best (now with Wish FM), Gavin McCoy, John Leech, Tony Monson, Dave Eastwood, Barry Jones, Andy Jackson, Terry Ray, Adrian Fox, Graham Bannerman (Now at Carlton and Dream), Nick Richards and the Emperor Rosko

Timbo Jon Scragg Terry Davis Paul Lee Lindsay King Alan Bell

Studio 1's Tweed mixed
The CR1 Tweed desk

The history

Some key events in the life of Essex Radio / Essex FM...

Launched in September 1981, Essex Radio was owned by local businesses, including Keddies, HW Stone, Garons and nightclub TOTS. For 23 years, the station broadcast from studios two floors below ground at Clifftown Road, in Southend-on-Sea, before moving to new offices in Chelmsford. Here are some of the milestones in the station's history:

1981

The station launched on September 12th at 6am (extract). Transmitters for North Essex launched in December

1983

Essex Radio's second birthday celebrated with a Royal Philharmonic concert at Southend's Roots Hall

1984

On-air, the station's jingles now sing "Somewhere Special". Presenters Tim Lloyd and Lindsay King wed in August

1985

New presenters Dave Eastwood (6-9am) and Graham Bannerman (drivetime) signed up. Jingle package changes, with a new strapline: "Together, we'll make it a great today". Towards the end of the year, the station's FM frequencies change to make room for BBC Essex - 95.3 changes to 96.3 and 96.4 becomes 102.6.

1986

The 1986 on-air lineup includes: Keith Rogers, Roger Buxton, Peter Holmes, Adrian Fox, Dave Eastwood, Graham Bannerman, Geoff Cullen, Dave Gregory, Tony Monson, John Hayes, Steve Wood, John Leech and Romilly Paradine. In September, the annual Helping Hands appeal includes an evening "Soul Appeal" over the weekend.

1987

Essex Radio 'Snowline' in effect when county covered in 2 and half feet of snow in January.1st April sees Essex Radio relaunch as "Greatest Memories, Latest Hits, after an April Fools stunt where the on-air team staged an on-air walkout (extract). IBA complain about the stunt. Presenters include Adrian Fox, Matthew Jackson. The Greatest Memories Band Magical Mystery Tour performs around Essex. At the end of the year, Chief Executive Eddie Blackwell resigns

1988

Programme Controller Craig Denyer leaves to set up Australian station Sea FM in December. Gavin McCoy joins the on-air lineup (extract). Other on-air names include: Robbie Dee, Barry Jones & Terry Ray

1989

Essex Radio in the press when Mike Ahern resigns in February, Keith Rogers steps in as acting Programme Controller . In March, courageous presenter Dave Eastwood lost his battle to leukaemia. April Fool's stunt with a hot-air balloon outside broadcast flying through the ozone-layer hole.
16th July sees a launch of Breeze, on the station's AM frequencies. Presenters include: Keith Rogers, Bill Rennells, David Baker, Ray Clark, Peter Phillips and Greg Bance.
Mark Woodman takes over as Programme Controller at the end of the year

1993

The station's strapline is "The Music Station". Legendary DJ Emperor Rosko starts hosting his "LA Connection" at the start of the year. Chart singer Janey Lee Grace also signs up. Ten-17 launched in Harlow on 1st May, with local broadcasts for three hours a day

1994

Essex Radio relaunched as "The Big SX". A new American jingle package, and posters with sumo wrestlers marks the launch

1995

New idents Essex (swoosh swoosh) FM compliment "The Big SX" package. A troublesome pigeon knocks out the phone systems, and the station launches it's first email system on air in August

1996

31st March sees the launch of Essex FM's website

1996

April Fools stunt - the station's won £2.2 million in the pools. There's an on-air relaunch in July 1996

1997

Essex Radio acquires 96.6 Classic Hits in St. Albans. Vibe FM (regional dance station) launched in November.

1998

Southend relay added on 97.5 to cover the Southend area - 100 watts from the roof of Radio House, Clifftown Road. Daily Mail Group (DGM) acquires a controlling interest in Essex Radio in January. At the end of the year, DMG also acquired Kent station KFM

1999

Another image change - Essex FM becomes "Fresh, Fun and Exciting - the Hottest Hits"

2000

Daily Mail Group (DGM) sells it's stake to GWR in June. Paul Chantler quits as Programme Director

2004

In October, Essex FM moved from studios in Clifftown Road, Southend, to Glebe Road in Chelmsford. More

2005

The 2005 on-air lineup was Martin Day and Su (breakfast), Chris Skinner, AJ, James Bassam (drivetime), Dominic Atkins and Tim Murphy

Your questions answered...

The memories

STAFF REUNION 2003 - As a result of this page starting, and the founding of the Essex Radio mailing list, the first ever Essex Radio Reunion of staff members was held on the 4th January 2003. See the reunion report

Worked for Essex Radio and want to join our group?

Join the free Essex radio mailing list and get in touch with others, and keep up-to-date on upcoming staff re-unions. If you're interested in joining, fill in the short signup form

For more details of how to join the list, and who else is a member, see the Essex Radio List page

The voices

The pictures

Click on Radio House to see the picture gallery

The logos

You can also find some more logos and other snippets on This Is ILR's Essex Radio page.

The history

Your questions answered...

The memories