1713: The announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on UK radio

A BBC Radio Scotland educational broadcast for primary school children - on producing the Radio 1 breakfast show in the days of Simon Mayo. 

The announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on a selection of national UK radio stations.  With Twitter beating them all in timeliness, by its very nature, it shows, nevertheless, the role for radio in today's media world. A human voice leading listeners through challenging times.

Tony Lyman began his radio career in hospital radio at Radio Nene Valley – whilst working as a postie - before making his radio debut on board the Voice of Peace, anchored just off Tel Aviv.  From there, he joined Trent in Nottingham in May 1979, assuming the role of relief presenter before graduating to his late-night slot, for which he’s fondly remembered on a station which then owned its market. He spent time too at the then National Broadcasting School as he honed his craft. Like many, he progressed up the schedule, with spells on breakfast and on the mid-morning show – and moving across to Leicester Sound at its launch, before returning to Trent.   The East Midlands was to become his long-term home, appearing on the oldies service GEM AM, Classic Gold, Century 106 and Saga Radio before moving to BBC local radio, eventually settling down at BBC Radio Derby. Tony was a calm, quiet operator who, like many presenters, just got better and better as a natural, witty communicator. In this audio, hear Tony’s early Trent work, then Classic Gold – and clips from what was to be his final programme on Radio Derby. Tony died in May 2021.

This montage illustrates how UK radio broke into regular programming on the event of the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on Friday 10th April 2021. The gaps are as broadcast – there were several handbrake turns, as the internal procedures demanded. It does not do justice to the many thoughtful links by so many broadcasters as the day unfolded – and the carefully crafted obituary pieces aired.