Radio Moments - Conversations

78: Tommy Boyd - Magpie, Southern, Talk Radio UK, BBC local radio

Radio Moments - Conversations

Show Notes

From a spell at BBC local radio whilst at teacher training college, he was to become a household name on children’s TV and one of the UK’s most distinctive radio broadcasters. In this hour of #radiomoments ‘Conversations’, the inimitable Tommy Boyd tells of his early days in BBC local radio and LBC - and how he quickly realised a childhood ambition in landing a top job in kids TV at Thames with Magpie. He opens up about the complex times at the original Talk Radio UK – how his programme’s reputation grew - and how that spell there ended. Tommy tells too about his time at Southern Sound and back in BBC local radio and Talksport. Hear also how he feels about radio management, regulators, callers, industry uncertainty – and about his good luck and those individuals who encouraged him along the way. In his own words, this is the Tommy Boyd story. See the whole Conversations series here. Theme music from Larry Bryant.

More from Radio Moments - Conversations

Jul 3, 2025

John Peters was born in Middlesex. His radio career began at the factory station UBN before progressing to the new Radio Trent in Nottingham where he hosted the station's first ever breakfast show. He later transferred to launch its oldies spin-off GEM AM.

Dec 29, 2020

Graduating from a school radio station – to emerge as a familiar face on ITV in the Channel Islands via a successful spell in commercial radio programming, this is story of Gary Burgess.

Nov 19, 2020

The shy schoolboy whose commanding voice went on to dominate London’s news bulletins for a generation.

Nov 5, 2020

From helping out on a charity appeal to dominating late night music radio for generations.

Oct 9, 2020

The teenage tape reclaimer - whose DNA now remains across UK radio and whose influence is felt around the World.

See all episodes →